Part 7 – The First Step to Drakar

The atmosphere on the battlefield grew increasingly tense. The Orcs, once seeming like ordinary foes, had now become a much greater threat. They moved swiftly, charging with roars that echoed through the forest, while Kaelan and his group stood firm at the front line.

Gravin stepped forward, his body vibrating with tension. His sword sliced through the air, cutting down Orcs that dared to come too close. "Kaelan, don't hesitate! If there are too many, we'll have to retreat!" he shouted, his voice almost drowned out by the clash of weapons and the orcs' growls.

Kaelan nodded, his eyes locked on the Orc Captain, who now moved with unexpected speed, spreading terror with each step. The creature's sheer size and strength were a clear threat that could not be underestimated.

"Kaelan, they're coming in greater numbers!" Edrin shouted as he pulled back his bow, releasing arrows that struck two Orcs simultaneously. However, the Orcs didn't seem too affected. "We need a new plan!"

Lyra, who was focusing her magical energy, turned to him. "I can strengthen our defenses, but I'll need some time," she said, her voice firm, though the tension was clearly visible on her face.

Kaelan realized they couldn't keep defending like this. The blue fire inside him began to surge, feeling stronger than before. He knew this was the right time to test his new abilities.

"Gravin, Edrin! Watch my back!" Kaelan shouted, scanning his surroundings. Without waiting for a response, he moved forward, his sword now enveloped in bright blue flames.

With swift steps, Kaelan leapt into the air, flying with a speed he didn't fully understand. In the air, he could see a horde of Orcs charging toward him, ready to strike. *If I can control this power, I can end it faster!* he thought.

His sword raised high, Kaelan focused all his blue fire energy into it. "This is a power greater than I ever imagined…" he murmured before swiftly spinning his body and swinging his sword downward.

A wave of blue fire shot toward the Orc army, burning them in the blink of an eye. Screams of pain echoed, but Kaelan knew this attack wasn't enough to defeat the Orc Captain, who was closing in fast.

But as Kaelan looked toward the Orc Captain, he felt a powerful pull in his chest. Something bigger, darker, was approaching. Something that threatened not only him but the entire world.

Suddenly, he felt a vibration from the crystal within him. A dark aura emerged, flowing from the ground and the air, and Kaelan could sense it. Varion, the dark sword demon god, was not far away.

"Varion…" he whispered, his eyes widening as a surge of even greater, more terrifying energy headed their way.

The Orc Captain raised his sword with power far beyond anything Kaelan had faced before, ready to end this battle. "Come on, human. Prove that you are truly worthy of surviving!" the Orc Captain shouted, and with one swing, he unleashed an attack that could obliterate anything in its path.

Kaelan felt adrenaline rush through him. This was the defining moment. This decision would change everything.

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The Orc Captain's strike shot through the air with incredible speed, slicing through the atmosphere with almost lethal force. His massive sword gleamed darkly, as if it were absorbing the surrounding light. Kaelan could feel it—at that moment, in the blink of an eye, he had to decide what to do.

He gathered all the blue fire power flowing within him, focusing it into his sword, which was still glowing brightly. *I have to face him. This is the time!* Kaelan thought.

With one powerful leap, Kaelan shot forward, directing his sword to clash directly with the Orc Captain's blade. The collision of blue energy and dark energy exploded in the air, causing the ground to shake violently.

"Graah!" The Orc Captain was stunned, but quickly recovered, spinning his sword with immense force. The attack sent Kaelan stumbling backward, but he swiftly regained his footing and swung his sword again, this time faster, more focused.

Amidst the battle, Kaelan heard Lyra's shout from behind. "Kaelan, be careful! A greater force is coming!"

Kaelan glanced back briefly, seeing Lyra still struggling to hold off several smaller Orcs. "I know!" Kaelan shouted back, then refocused on the Orc Captain.

Each time his sword clashed with the Captain's massive blade, Kaelan felt a painful vibration deep in his bones. This was no ordinary foe. Every strike was imbued with dark power that could damage even his body, reinforced by the crystal.

But Kaelan refused to give up. In an instant, his body was lifted into the air, evading the Orc Captain's sword swipe, which tore through the ground with destructive power. From the air, Kaelan gathered blue fire around his hands, concentrating the energy for a larger ranged attack.

"I'll end this!" Kaelan shouted, releasing a large fireball that shot toward the Orc Captain.

However, the Orc Captain deftly deflected Kaelan's attack, creating a dark energy shield that absorbed the fireball. "You cannot defeat darkness, human!" the Orc Captain laughed, his eyes burning with fury.

But Kaelan, unwilling to surrender, felt the crystal within him flare even brighter, giving him a greater boost. With immense power, he swung his sword once more, this time with all the energy he had. The blue-flamed sword swept through the air, releasing an overwhelming wave of heat.

The attack struck the dark energy shield the Orc Captain had formed, and for the first time, the Orc's defenses cracked. Kaelan saw his chance and, with the last of his strength, plunged straight toward the Orc Captain.

"This is it!" Kaelan yelled, driving his sword deep into the Orc Captain's body, catching him off guard from the blue fire's penetrating strike. The sword ripped through flesh and bone, creating a deep wound.

The Orc Captain fell with a final roar, his body shattered. But Kaelan knew this was just the beginning of an even greater threat.

As the battle subsided, Kaelan stood in the middle of the battlefield, panting heavily. Lyra, Gravin, and Edrin joined him, gazing at the scattered Orc forces, but they knew this was far from over.

Lyra sighed, her face filled with worry. "Kaelan, something darker is coming. We need to leave now."

"Varion..." Kaelan muttered quietly, his eyes filled with determination. "If this isn't over, I won't back down."

Suddenly, the crystal embedded in Kaelan's body began to shine even brighter, as if signaling something. Kaelan gazed at the horizon, where a dark shadow seemed to move swiftly toward them. A greater threat, far more terrifying, was on its way.

"To Drakar," Kaelan finally said, his voice resolute. "We have to find the answers there."

With firm steps, they left the battlefield, now quiet. But their journey had just begun, and the greater, darker threat was drawing closer.