Chapter 5: The Battle

[Salah's POV – The Orc Camp]

The orc leader's axe came down with terrifying force, but I dodged to the side, my movements fueled by adrenaline and instinct. I summoned a barrier of light, the golden energy forming a shield that deflected the next blow. The impact sent a shockwave through my arms, and I gritted my teeth, pushing back against the brute's strength.

Salah: gritting my teeth "Rex, now!"

The tiger lunged at the orc leader, its claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. The orc leader roared in pain, swinging his axe wildly as he tried to fend off the beast. Rex moved like a shadow, darting in and out, his claws leaving deep gashes in the orc leader's flesh.

But the orc leader wasn't going down without a fight. With a roar, he swung his axe in a wide arc, catching Rex in the side and sending the tiger sprawling.

Orc Leader: laughing "Is that all you've got?"

I stepped forward, my hands glowing with golden light as I faced the orc leader.

Salah: firmly "You're not going to hurt anyone else."

The orc leader sneered, raising his axe for another strike.

Orc Leader: "We'll see about that."

I braced myself, my mind racing as I prepared to defend myself. But before the orc leader could attack, a loud roar echoed through the forest, and the ground shook beneath our feet.

[The Arrival of the Elven Reinforcements]

The trees parted, and a group of elven warriors emerged, their bows drawn and their eyes filled with determination. At their head was a tall, regal figure—a woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. She wore armor adorned with intricate runes, and her presence commanded respect.

Elven Leader: commanding "Hold, orc! Your reign of terror ends here!"

The orc leader turned, his eyes narrowing as he saw the newcomers.

Orc Leader: snarling "More elves? You're all the same—weak and pathetic."

The elven leader raised her hand, and a volley of arrows flew through the air, striking the orc leader and his remaining followers. The orcs roared in pain, some falling to the ground while others charged forward, their axes raised.

I took the opportunity to heal Rex, my hands glowing as I mended his wounds. The tiger growled softly, his eyes filled with gratitude as he stood, ready to fight once more.

Salah: softly "Stay close. We're not done yet."

Rex nodded, his muscles coiling as he prepared to pounce. I turned to the elven leader, my voice filled with urgency.

Salah: "We need to work together. These orcs are too strong to take on alone."

The elven leader nodded, her expression resolute.

Elven Leader: "Agreed. My name is Lady Asura, and these are my warriors. We'll handle the orcs—you focus on healing the wounded."

I nodded, my hands already glowing with golden light as I moved to the injured elves. The battle raged around me, the clash of steel and the cries of the wounded filling the air. But I focused on my task, my hands moving with practiced efficiency as I healed the wounded and restored their strength.

[The Turning Point]

The tide of the battle began to turn as the elven warriors fought with renewed vigor, their arrows and blades cutting through the orcs with deadly precision. The orc leader roared in frustration, his axe swinging wildly as he tried to break through the elven lines.

But Lady Asura was a force to be reckoned with. She moved with grace and precision, her blade flashing in the sunlight as she cut down orc after orc. Her warriors followed her lead, their movements fluid and coordinated as they pushed the orcs back.

I watched in awe as the elven warriors fought, their skill and determination inspiring me to push harder. I healed as many as I could, my hands glowing with golden light as I mended wounds and restored strength.

But the orc leader wasn't going down without a fight. With a roar, he charged at Lady Asura, his axe raised high. She met his charge head-on, her blade clashing against his axe with a deafening clang.

Lady Asura: gritting her teeth "You'll pay for what you've done, orc."

Orc Leader: laughing "You'll have to kill me first, elf."

The two clashed again, their weapons striking with such force that the ground shook beneath their feet. I watched, my heart pounding as I realized that Lady Asura was struggling to hold her own against the orc leader's brute strength.

Salah: softly "Rex, we need to help her."

The tiger nodded, his eyes glowing with determination as he prepared to pounce. I focused my energy, my hands glowing with golden light as I prepared to cast a spell.

[The Final Blow]

The orc leader raised his axe for a final strike, his eyes filled with rage and desperation. But before he could bring it down, Rex lunged at him, his claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. The orc leader roared in pain, his axe falling from his hands as he stumbled back.

I took the opportunity to cast a spell, my hands glowing with golden light as I summoned a beam of energy that struck the orc leader square in the chest. He roared in pain, his body convulsing as the energy coursed through him.

Orc Leader: choking "You… you'll pay for this…"

With a final roar, the orc leader fell to the ground, his body lifeless. The remaining orcs, seeing their leader fall, turned and fled into the forest, their cries of fear echoing through the trees.

[Aftermath]

The battlefield fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. I took a deep breath, my hands still glowing with golden light as I healed the last of the wounded.

Lady Asura approached me, her expression filled with gratitude.

Lady Asura: "You have my thanks, healer. Without your aid, we would not have prevailed."

I nodded, my voice filled with humility.

Salah: "It was my duty. I couldn't stand by and let innocent people suffer."

Lady Asura smiled, her eyes filled with respect.

Lady Asura: "You are a rare soul, Salah. The world needs more like you."

I felt a surge of pride at her words, but I knew that my journey was far from over. This was just the beginning.