"The fire has grown large enough. We need to take out as many of them as we can!" Fayde gave his orders to the Foxkin warriors.
They moved quickly, placing makeshift barricades made of sharpened spikes and vine rope along the paths surrounding the kingdom soldiers, who were steadily becoming trapped by the spreading fire. The barriers weren't built to last, only to delay their retreat. Fayde knew they wouldn't hold for long, but that was fine. The infantry at the front had already begun their charge into the abandoned village and would soon fall victim to the traps laid in wait.
Fayde divided the Foxkin into two groups, placing one under Allein and Nes. The other group would fight under Reia and his own command. Fayde's unit would engage the enemy directly, while Allein and Nes would strike from the flanks. They were also responsible for cutting down any soldiers who tried to escape.
Their primary objective, however, was the kingdom's commander. Luckily for them, he had sent all of his infantry ahead to storm the village, leaving himself guarded only by archers and the remaining cavalry. Bows were nearly useless in the forest, and those soldiers would be forced to rely on their short swords, weapons they weren't proficient with. The cavalrymen, now on foot, were too few in number and at a disadvantage dismounted.
"Fayde, the fog will soon fade. Eill can't maintain it much longer," Reia said, her voice steady as she approached. Eill had done what he could, but the spell's limits were nearly reached.
"It's fine. We only need another ten minutes. All of you, let's go. Follow me!" Fayde motioned for the Foxkin beside him to move out.
He and Reia would lead the charge through the fire to strike the archers while confusion still gripped the enemy. If they were quick, they could wipe them out before anyone realized what was happening.
"Reia, if you see the enemy commander, he's all yours. Make sure to finish him quickly."
Reia nodded, eyes gleaming. Taking the head of the enemy commander was considered a great honor, and she was more than happy to end the life of the fool who had dared to attack her home.
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The flames surrounding the kingdom's cavalrymen and archers had grown into an intense blaze, devouring the forest around them. Smoke filled the air in thick, choking waves, and the soldiers were on the verge of losing control.
"Lord Marball, we need to get out of here immediately! What are your orders?"
Marball turned in place, eyes scanning the chaos for any sign of a safe exit. The fire was closing in fast, and if he couldn't find a path to the infantry, his men would be crushed. Without infantry support, they would be exposed, vulnerable to slaughter.
"Do you see an opening? We need to regroup with the infantry before it's too late!"
Roderick swept his gaze across the wall of fire, searching for any break in the inferno.
"Over there!" he called, spotting a narrow trail that had not yet been consumed by flame.
"Quickly! Order the soldiers to clear the flames and fall back! Regroup to the west once you're through! Move!"
Marball began pushing forward, ready to seize the opening for himself, but Roderick grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.
"My lord, let the soldiers go first. It could be a trap."
Marball froze. He hated the idea of waiting, but Roderick was right. Charging in first was for expendable men. If anyone needed to survive this, it was him.
"Very well. Mage, stay close to me. Roderick, don't leave my side."
_______________________________
The Foxkin under the command of Nes and Allein had positioned themselves along a narrow forest path that remained untouched by the fire. Two Foxkin mages focused their efforts on keeping the flames from spreading, maintaining a corridor for the ambush. Concealed in the dense canopy above, small groups waited silently, scattered at strategic points along the trail.
They had strict orders not to strike right away. Some of the enemy needed to be allowed through to create the illusion of safety. Once the soldiers had advanced far enough, the teams deeper in the pathway would initiate the attack from above, catching them off guard. The rest would follow, closing in from all directions.
The trail's winding shape worked in their favor. Sharp bends and natural curves concealed each team from sight, leaving the enemy blind to the threat. Nes and Allein watched from above in their dragon forms, observing the path and prepared to intervene if needed. The entire plan relied on stealth, timing, and overwhelming force.
At the far end of the trail, one group spotted the first wave of retreating soldiers. The enemy stumbled forward, desperate to escape the blaze behind them, completely unaware of what lay ahead. Smoke clung to their clothes and fear clouded their eyes. There was no coordination, no discipline. They moved in frantic disarray, driven by panic instead of orders.
These were not seasoned warriors. Most had been conscripted and barely trained. Whatever discipline they had managed to learn had already collapsed under the pressure of fire and chaos. They failed to notice the Foxkin warriors crouched silently in the branches overhead.
The moment a cluster passed below, the Foxkin struck.
Elemental spells erupted from the treetops, crashing into the unsuspecting soldiers with deadly precision. Javelins and axes followed, cutting through the confusion. Some Foxkin dropped from the branches in a sudden blur of motion, driving their weapons into targets before the men could even react. Along the twisting path, the ambush unfolded with brutal efficiency. Cries of alarm rose and were quickly drowned out by the roar of flames and snapping underbrush. It was a slaughter. Not a single fleeing soldier managed to fight back.
At the same time, Fayde and Reia prepared to launch their assault on the archers who had not yet retreated. Their group waited behind a wall of uncontrolled flame, its heat intense but bearable. Though the enemy was hidden beyond the fire, the Foxkin could smell their presence clearly, even through smoke and ash.
"They're about to pass by," Reia said.
Fayde nodded. "Good. Get ready to blow the flames aside. We'll strike the moment they're exposed."
The Foxkin warriors nearby gripped their weapons, muscles taut and eyes sharp. The firelight flickered across their faces, casting long shadows that danced with tension.
Reia stepped forward and began her chant. A sharp gust of wind surged outward from her outstretched hand, sweeping away the wall of flame in an instant. The spell was brief but forceful, clearing a path wide enough for the group to charge through.
Without hesitation, Fayde, Reia, and the Foxkin warriors burst forward through the gap.
They emerged from the fire in a blur, crashing into the archers with shocking speed. The enemy had no time to react. Spears and axes struck first, followed by elemental blasts that tore into the line. The Foxkin attacked with fierce cries, wild and unrelenting. To the archers, it must have seemed like monsters had come roaring out of the blaze.
The enemy's resolve crumbled instantly. Those who tried to run fell just as quickly as those who stood their ground. Their formation broke apart in a short time. Confusion turned to panic. Spells rained down on them, cutting down what little resistance remained.
Within moments, the line was destroyed. The archers were barely given a chance to fight back.
Fayde did not continue the assault. Instead, he scanned the battlefield, searching for the enemy commander. Reia moved beside him, equally focused.
"There," he said, spotting the man in the chaos. The two of them sprinted forward without hesitation.
Two others stood at the commander's side. One, dressed in robes, raised his hands and began chanting. A barrage of flame arrows shot toward them, but both Fayde and Reia, blades already enhanced with magic, sliced cleanly through the spell. The attack didn't even slow them down.
The commander backed away, his face contorted with fear. His bodyguard, an armored soldier, said something quickly, urgency in his tone. The commander hesitated only a moment as he took in the sight of a Human fighting beside a Foxkin. That moment passed, and he turned to flee.
Reia unleashed a counterattack, hurling flame arrows at the robed mage. A magic barrier flared to life just in time to block the spell.
The soldier stepped forward and shouted, "Run, my lord! Head toward the infantry! I'll hold them off!"
The commander didn't look back. He ran, leaving his protectors behind.
Fayde and Reia slowed their advance. Charging in recklessly would be foolish.
"Be careful," Reia warned, her voice low.
Fayde nodded slightly. The mage might not be much trouble, but the swordsman would be another matter. The man drew his blade, which glowed faintly with a yellow hue. It was clearly a magic sword, though its exact enchantment was unclear.
"I am Sir Roderick, Knight of the Kingdom of La'gun. State your names."
Fayde gave him a dry look. "Fayde. That's Reia."
"A peasant and a Beastkin, no doubt. You dare strike at Lord Marball's forces? You've made enemies of the Kingdom of La'gun. Your pathetic tribe will be wiped out for this."
Fayde sighed. "You think we acted without understanding the consequences? Don't tell me you're planning to beg for your life."
"I hope you're ready to die. Do you even know who you face?"
"Not a clue."
The knight scowled, clearly enraged, but Fayde barely noticed. His eyes had shifted to the mage, who had begun chanting again.
"Reia. Now."
Reia lunged at the knight, bringing her sword down in a sharp arc. He sidestepped effortlessly, but she had never intended to land a blow.
Fayde moved swiftly, closing in on the mage. The man raised a barrier just in time, but Fayde's blade, infused with Void magic, sliced straight through. The attack tore a deep gash along the mage's side. Blood poured from the wound as the man staggered. Before he could react, Fayde followed with a second strike, driving his sword through the man's chest.
The mage dropped, lifeless. Fayde didn't let himself think about it and he had become accustomed to taking a life from killing humanoid monsters. There was no time to consider the implications of killing a person and their lives could be in danger. This was something he had mentally prepared himself for.
Reia still held Roderick at bay, but it was clear she was being pushed back. Her enhanced blade struggled to hold against the raw power of his sword.
There was a difference between a sword simply enhanced with magic and a true magic weapon. A magic sword served as a vessel for powerful enchantments and could easily overpower lesser blades.
Without hesitation, Fayde stepped in to assist. He and Reia began to circle Roderick, watching for an opening. Fayde launched a blast of Void Flames, but the knight deflected it with ease. His control was precise, his technique flawless.
It was clear that Roderick was no ordinary fighter. His martial prowess rivaled that of an advanced warrior. Fayde saw no flaws in his stance, no weaknesses to exploit. But he was confident. Roderick might have skill and a powerful weapon, but he showed no signs of magical ability. That alone was a disadvantage.
Seconds passed in tense silence as both sides watched and waited. Then Fayde attacked.
Their swords collided in a flurry of movement. Roderick parried and countered with speed, forcing Fayde to dodge.
At the same time, Reia finished her chant and fired a volley of flame arrows at the knight's exposed back.
Fayde thought it would land.
But just before the arrows struck, Roderick turned sharply, sweeping his blade through the air. A burst of energy rippled outward as the arrows shattered mid-flight, scattered by shock magic.
The momentum of the spin carried into another attack, and Roderick slashed toward Fayde's torso. Fayde twisted away just in time.
He didn't need further confirmation. The knight's blade was imbued with lightning magic. A single clean hit would be devastating.
The Foxkin squad that had followed Fayde had just finished wiping out the archers without suffering any casualties. The ambush had been brutal and swift. The archers, caught completely off guard, had no chance to fight back. Though they carried short swords, they weren't trained for close combat. The Foxkin, on the other hand, could attack from a distance with elemental spells and close in with spears and axes. With inferior weapons, poor training, and shaken morale, the archers fell easily.
Once the fighting was done, the warriors turned toward Fayde, ready to assist. But he ordered them to pursue the enemy commander instead. With only a glance between them, they obeyed, disappearing into the forest.
That left Fayde and Reia alone with Sir Roderick. They began to press him harder, attacking in sync with sharpened focus. He was still holding them off, his blade crackling with lightning as he parried every strike. His martial skill was impressive. It was difficult to approach without risking serious injury.
But even he had limits. As the fight wore on, he began to slow. It was two against one, and although he was strong, he wasn't overwhelming them. Reia had grown stronger, likely a result of the bond she shared with Fayde through the Mark. That strange link between them seemed to have accelerated her growth in a way neither of them fully understood.
Fayde felt a reluctant admiration for the knight. He was the only one with the courage to stand and fight for his lord, even if that lord had already run off.
"It's a shame we have to kill you," Fayde said, catching his breath. "You're a better warrior than I expected."
Roderick responded with a harsh grin, his breathing labored. "Your flattery won't save you. I won't die here."
Fayde gave a subtle nod to Reia. "It's time."
"Yes," she said quietly. "Let's finish it."
Roderick narrowed his eyes, tense but uncertain. He could feel the shift in the air, but didn't yet know what was coming.
Fayde charged first. He unleashed a flurry of attacks, his sword slicing through the air in a flowing combination that forced Roderick onto the defensive. Every blow was meant to distract and overwhelm. The knight held his ground, blocking most of the strikes and enduring the rest.
That was all Fayde needed. Reia's spell was complete. Her sword shimmered with the magic of wind, its edge glowing faintly. With a sudden burst of speed, she launched forward, slicing through the air with a rapid series of strikes. The magic propelled her like a gust, each slash precise and deadly.
Just as she was about to land her final blow, Roderick's blade flashed again. He moved with unexpected speed, twisting into a counter. Lightning surged through his sword as he met Reia's attack head-on. The impact of wind and lightning collided in a brilliant burst of light, sending both of them flying.
Fayde turned away, shielding his eyes. The shockwave had shaken the entire clearing. When his vision cleared, he saw both Roderick and Reia struggling to get up. Reia was bleeding badly and swaying on her feet.
He rushed to her side and dropped to one knee, focusing all his energy on the Mark that connected them. Just like before, a warm current of magic flowed out from within him and into her. Her injuries began to heal. She stopped trembling. Her breath steadied. Fayde cut the transfer short before it drained too much of his own strength. The battle wasn't over yet.
Roderick, by contrast, had only suffered a few minor injuries. Fayde helped Reia to her feet, then stepped forward alone, eyes fixed on the knight. He steadied his breathing and reached within himself, calling forth the power of the Void. The familiar dark energy stirred and began to gather around his blade, coiling and flickering like living shadow.
"It's a shame," he said quietly. "But this is the end for you, Roderick."
The knight scoffed, his glare unwavering.
"Big words," he muttered. "Let's see if you can back them up."
Roderick raised his blade, light flaring along the steel as the magic sealed within began to awaken. At the same time, the Void surrounding Fayde surged, darkening the air around him. Neither said another word.
They moved at once. Lightning and Void met in a violent clash that detonated outward with tremendous force. A blinding explosion of energy burst through the clearing, shaking the ground and tearing through nearby trees. Winds howled as the shockwave pushed outward, hurling leaves and debris in every direction.
When the light finally faded and the storm of magic quieted, Fayde remained standing where he had begun, his body cloaked in black flame. Across the clearing, Roderick had been thrown against the base of a tree, slumped and unmoving. His armor was cracked, his breathing shallow, his sword lying out of reach in the dirt.
Fayde's legs felt heavy. The effort had drained him more than he expected, but he forced himself to walk. Each step left behind wisps of black flame trailing in the air, curling along the ground. When he stood over the fallen knight, he looked down in silence.
Roderick slowly lifted his head to meet his gaze.
"Make it quick," he said, voice hoarse. "At least give me that."
"You fought well," Fayde replied. "Go in peace then."
He hesitated. The will to kill had become easier to summon in the chaos of war, but the weight of it hadn't lessened. Ending someone's life, especially like this, was never simple. There was still a part of him that recoiled at it. That part kept him human.
Roderick saw the hesitation.
"Do it," he said. "I have no regrets."
"You may not," Fayde said quietly. "But I still do."
Their eyes locked. There was no hatred in them now, only understanding. One prepared to die with dignity. The other prepared to carry the cost of it.
Fayde raised his blade and ended it as swiftly and painlessly as he could.