Echoes of the Fallen

Night came upon the fortress, deepening the shadows to veil the stone walls. Torchflames danced with their shadows longer, more twisted and unyielding, each of them the specter of what lay ahead. Oil and steel hung heavy within the air, and an oppressive silence settled over the soldiers. They moved with what sounds could only be called nervous tension toward the inevitable collision.

I stood at the top of the battlements, looking out into the darkness. Campfires from the Blackwood Legion lit up the horizon like malignant stars, reminding me constantly of the storm brewing just beyond our reach.

"They're waiting," Lira said, joining me. Her voice was low, almost lost in the wind. "They want us to stew in our fear."

"They won't have to wait long," I replied. "We attack at dawn."

She arched an eyebrow, surprise flashing in her eyes. "We are not waiting for them to come to us?"

I shook my head. "They are stronger. If we wait, they will break us down. But if we take the initiative, with the Wraithwood warriors."

Lira nodded slowly, a dawning understanding in her eyes. "Catch them off guard. Make them fight on our terms."

"Exactly.

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of what was coming pressing down on both of us. Finally, Lira broke the silence. "Do you think we'll survive this?"

I didn't answer immediately. Truth is, I didn't know. "Survival isn't the goal. Victory is."

She nodded, a grim smile on her lips. "Then let's make it a victory they'll never forget.

The fortress buzzed with quiet activity. Soldiers moved like shadows, checking weapons, tightening armor straps. The Wraithwood warriors stood apart, their painted faces unreadable, their movements silent and fluid. They were like ghosts, more a part of the forest than the fortress walls.

Chris found me in the armory, sharpening my sword. "So, this is it."

I glanced up at him. "It's not too late to back out, you know."

He snorted. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? No, I'm here until the end."

I smiled, and familiar banter eased some of the tension. "Good. We'll need you."

He got serious then, his eyes searching mine. "What happened in the Wraithwood. Are you ready for this?

I met his gaze, the weight of everything we had been through settling heavily on my shoulders. "I don't know if anyone's ever ready. But we have no choice."

He nodded, his expression hardening. "Then let's finish this."

This developed into a heavy, asphyxiating tension near the crack of dawn when the soldiers began to move into the courtyard. Some seemed pale, but resolute faced stood out. Wraithwood warriors moved among them, almost saying nothing about the forest powers as they stood.

Sir Alden moved to the front of it, his gilded armor visible in the faint light. "This day we fight not just to live. We fight for that future of this earth. To those who have lost. For all who cannot fight for themselves,"

A murmur ran through the crowd, a low, resonant sound of agreement. I stepped forward, my voice carrying over the gathered soldiers. "The Blackwood Legion thinks they've won. They think they've broken us. But they haven't. We stand here, ready to face them. Ready to show them that we will not be defeated."

A cheer erupted, the sound echoing off the stone walls.

The Wraithwood leader stepped forward, voice like a whisper of wind. "The forest stands with you. We will fight. And we will remember."

The gates creaked open, and the first light of dawn spilled across the battlefield. The Blackwood Legion's camp was a dark mass in the distance, their banners fluttering in the wind.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "Let's finish this.

The charge was a blur of motion and sound. We surged forward, a wave of steel and fury crashing into the enemy lines. The Wraithwood warriors moved like shadows, their painted faces terrifying in the dawn light.

The Blackwood Legion was entirely unprepared, their formation splitting as the pressure of our attack grew. I fought my way out of the mess, my sword was a blur, each strike reminder of what we were fighting for.

Lira stood by my side - fluid, deadly movement; Chris with ferocity I had not ever seen before, injuries abandoned in the heat of combat.

The battlefield was a cacophony of sound—clashing steel, the screams of the wounded, the roar of battle.

I found myself face to face with a Blackwood commander, his eyes cold and hard. Our swords clashed, the force of the impact jarring my arm.

"You think you can win?" he sneered, his voice full of contempt.

"We don't think," I replied, my voice steady. "We know."

And then I threw in the last, desperate thrust. He fell, his eyes open wide with shock.

The battle still raged around us, but this was only the start of it. The real fight lay ahead.

And we'd be prepared.