Chapter 62 – Flames in the Dark
The first light of dawn barely pierced the dense forest that cloaked the mountain passes north of Fort Yingshan. The allied forces, a diverse assembly of imperial soldiers and clan warriors, moved cautiously through the underbrush. The tension was palpable—every twig snapped beneath boots felt like a signal to unseen enemies.
General Zhao Wenzhi rode at the forefront, his sharp eyes scanning for signs of the Veiled Commander's forces. Beside him, Lin Xue moved silently, a shadow herself, leading a small scouting group tasked with probing the enemy's positions.
"Reports indicate the enemy's supply caravans travel this route," Lin Xue whispered. "Cutting them off could cripple their advance."
Zhao nodded grimly. "Then we strike before they know we are here."
As the sun climbed higher, the forces split into two groups: one to ambush the supply line, the other to guard the rear. The forest echoed with the soft rustling of leaves and the quiet prayers of warriors.
Suddenly, a distant shout shattered the silence.
"Enemy advance! Ambush! Ambush!"
Lin Xue's heart raced as the alarm spread. Hidden enemy scouts had spotted them.
The forest exploded into chaos.
Arrows whistled through the air, thudding into trees and armor. Spears thrust from between thick trunks, and dark figures darted among shadows. The Veiled Commander's forces were prepared and fierce.
But the allied forces held their ground. The clan warriors, skilled in guerrilla tactics and mountain warfare, countered swiftly. Sorcerers called upon elemental magic—whirling gusts that knocked enemies off balance, sudden bursts of flame that lit the undergrowth.
In the thick of battle, Lin Xue fought with lethal precision, her blade a blur. Her movements were a blend of grace and deadly efficiency, each strike finding its mark. Nearby, General Zhao rallied his troops, his booming voice cutting through the din.
Then, as the battle reached its fever pitch, a new sound rose—a deep, resonant hum that vibrated through the earth.
From behind the trees emerged an imposing figure clad in gleaming armor, wielding a weapon unlike any the empire's forces had seen. It was a large crossbow-like device, its limbs etched with glowing runes that pulsed with blue light.
The stranger's voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Hold your ground! This weapon will turn the tide."
With a powerful draw, he released a bolt that streaked through the air, trailing sparks. It struck an enemy warbeast squarely in the chest, the beast collapsing in a burst of flame.
Inspired, the allied forces pressed forward with renewed vigor. The mysterious weapon's bolts tore through enemy ranks, sowing chaos and confusion.
When the dust settled, the enemy retreated, leaving the forest strewn with fallen. The allied forces counted their losses — heavy but survivable.
General Zhao approached the stranger, curiosity and gratitude in his eyes. "Who are you?"
The man pulled back his hood, revealing sharp features and eyes like storm clouds. "I am Jinhai, a weapons master from the eastern isles. I bring innovations forged in secret to aid the empire."
Yanyue's earlier call for new allies had borne fruit. Jinhai and his mysterious weapon promised a new edge in the battle to come.
As night fell, campfires flickered under a sky ablaze with stars. The alliance had weathered its first trial together — but the war was far from over.
In the distance, the Veiled Commander's dark silhouette watched, a smile hidden beneath his veil. "So be it," he whispered. "Let the flames in the dark burn bright. The true war begins now."