The Battle That Would Unlock Africa

February 16, 1696.

The jungle night was eerily silent, save for the distant crackling of torches atop the fortress walls. General Armand Roux stood at the edge of a ridge, peering down at the enemy stronghold through his spyglass. Between the twin mountains, carved into the rock and reinforced with sharpened wooden barricades, stood the heart of the rebellion—the fortress of N'kosi.

Through the scope, Roux could see warriors patrolling the walls, their movements careful but unaware of the Elysean forces lurking beyond the treeline. From this distance, it was clear that they were prepared for a siege. The outer defenses were thick, the main gate reinforced with massive wooden beams, and additional guard towers lined the cliffside paths. The enemy expected an attack, but they didn't know when it would come.

Lowering the spyglass, Roux turned to Captain Étienne Giraud. "The fortress is well-defended. We'll take heavy losses if we strike head-on."