A thousand knights marched steadily through the snow-covered terrain, their armor glinting under the pale sun. The wind howled faintly, sending chills through the air, but the mages at the front cleared the path, pushing aside thick layers of snow to make the journey smoother.
Kael glanced to the side and noticed Vic staring at him with an unnerving intensity.
He turned to Lyria. "It seems he’s looking at you."
Lyria frowned, her cold, mature gaze shifting toward Vic. "Master, do you have an eye problem? He’s clearly looking at you."
Kael scratched his head in confusion. "Hey, Vic! Come here!"
To his surprise, Vic trudged toward him without complaint. That alone made Kael suspicious. Since when did this troublemaker start behaving?
"Yes, my Lord," Vic said, standing straight.
"Drop the formality. Why the hell are you staring at me like that?" Kael asked bluntly.
Vic paused, studying him for a moment before speaking. "What? Did you think I fell in love with you?"
"Like hell, you would," Kael scoffed.
Vic shook his head. "I just don’t get you. You act like a lunatic, killing at the slightest grievance, ignoring the bigger picture. You seem like a reckless madman, but your actions say otherwise. You’re cunning. Calculating. It’s like you’re putting on an act. Also, you’re getting stronger way too fast—it feels unnatural. Are you doing something taboo?"
Kael’s expression twisted as if he had just stepped in shit. "Why the fuck are you analyzing me ? Just do your damn job!"
Vic shrugged. "I am doing my job, but I don’t take orders from incompetents. Surprisingly, you’re not as brainless as people say."
Kael’s eye twitched. He wanted to punch Vic, but a cough interrupted him.
Gare approached, his face serious. "My Lord, I just received a message from Chandler. As you predicted, they spotted the cloaked group near Sparvees city."
Kael nodded. "Good. Have them keep watching."
Gare hesitated. "My Lord... they followed the group."
Kael froze. "Wait... wait... when the hell did I tell them to follow anyone?"
"Chandler told them to hold back, but some knights insisted on tracking them for more information. So Chandler had no choice but to go with them."
Kael clenched his fists. "Dammit! This is—" He stopped, a sudden thought flashing through his mind. His expression changed. "Gare, tell them to report their location immediately. Make sure they don’t get too close. If we can capture one of those bastards, we might get intel on the antidote."
He turned sharply to Lyria, his gaze sharp and full of madness.
"Lyria, prepare yourself."
She didn’t respond—just gave a small, emotionless nod. The cold wind swirled around them, but neither of them seemed to feel it.
The cold wind howled as Kael’s group made their way toward the Northern Gates, their march steady and disciplined. Snow crunched beneath their boots, and the misty breath of soldiers mingled with the frosty air. The towering cliffs on either side cast dark, looming shadows as the moon barely peeked through the swirling clouds.
Kael narrowed his piercing eyes, sensing something unnatural in the air. He called out, "Handel, can you feel it?"
"Feel?" Handel asked, confused.
Vic, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. "I can feel something too."
Kael turned to him with a smirk. "So, you can sense it too?"
Vic nodded. "The air... it smells of bloodthirst."
"Good," Kael clapped once and turned back to Handel. "We’re being followed. They’re waiting to ambush us once we climb higher. Let’s not give them that chance."
Handel’s expression hardened. "Then we camp and prepare."
Kael nodded. "Exactly. Let’s make them think we’re vulnerable."
Kael decides to halt and fight here on low ground then risk it on the cliff.
Night fell, casting a deep darkness over the snowy plains. The flickering flames of the campfire barely illuminated the area as soldiers set up temporary tents. A thick tension settled in the air.
The knights sharpened their weapons, while the mages stayed alert, eyes scanning the horizon.
Kael asked the knights who were deadly tired to rest and others to revitalize themselves cause they needed to be at their best with the danger hanging on them.
Then, a sudden chilling howl echoed through the valley. It was deep, guttural, unnatural. The horses and wolves neighed in panic. The guards immediately grabbed their weapons, forming defensive positions.
Out of the darkness, monstrous figures emerged—massive, green-skinned orcs, their bodies covered in thick, ragged armor of bones and metal.
Their eyes glowed a sinister red, and their sharp fangs gleamed under the moonlight. They rode on monstrous black wolves, their fur bristling as they charged forward with incredible speed.
"AMBUSH!" A knight shouted, drawing his sword.
The first orc leaped from its wolf, swinging a rusted, jagged axe straight at a soldier’s head. The man barely raised his shield in time, but the sheer force sent him flying back. Another orc tore through the camp, its massive club shattering a wooden crate like paper.
Kael didn’t wait. He dashed forward, his blade flashing as he met the first orc head-on. He ducked under a wild axe swing, his sword slicing upward in a clean arc. Blood sprayed as the orc’s arm was severed, its guttural scream lost in the chaos.
"Everyone, wake up and start fighting."
Nearby, Handel fought with precise, controlled movements, his spear twirling in deadly circles as he impaled an orc through the chest. The beast roared, only for another thrust to pierce its throat.
Vic, on the other hand, was reckless and wild. He moved like a beast himself, dodging and weaving through attacks before cutting down his enemies with savage efficiency. His twin daggers flashed in the dim light, slitting throats and piercing vital points.
Kael’s expression didn’t change. He pulled his sword free, its blade glinting coldly under the firelight. "Hold your ground! Spears in formation! Mages, prepare spells! Swordsmen, guard the flanks!"
The knights moved instantly. Spearmen formed tight ranks, their long weapons bracing against the incoming charge. Mages chanted under their breath, their hands glowing as fireballs and ice spikes formed.