The Fourth Legion

A bright blinding light engulfed Boy's vision as the summoning circle completely activated, flooding his senses with an overwhelming force. The weightless sensation of being pulled through space twisted his perception, making time feel irrelevant. His thoughts swirled in confusion as he braced for the unknown landing ahead.

And in an instant, he felt the solid ground beneath his paws once more as the light began to fade. The transition was jarring, his limbs feeling momentarily numb from the rapid shift in reality. His breath came in short bursts as his body adjusted to the sudden change.

A deafening roar resounded as Boy's vision began to adjust. He was greeted with the sight of a massive fortress, its stone walls stretching high into the sky, lined with archers and summoners standing in disciplined formations. They observed the vast battlefield beyond, their expressions steeled with the weight of impending combat. Each movement they made was deliberate, a practiced routine honed from years of warfare.

Beyond the battlements and the gate lay a chaotic battlefield, a land of destruction with trenches dug deep into the earth, shattered stone walls marking the remnants of past defenses, and scorched fields blanketed with the remains of fallen summons and warriors alike. The very air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the acrid stench of burned flesh.

In the far distance, massive siege weapons, towering monoliths of destruction, methodically loaded fiery projectiles. Their operators, clad in heavy armor, moved with precision as they readied another devastating attack. The anticipation of their launch sent a ripple of unease through the ranks.

The sky above was a swirling vortex of smoke and raw magic, shifting in unnatural currents as elemental energy clashed violently. Each explosion sent shockwaves through the battlefield, illuminating the chaos with bursts of fire, ice, and lightning that crackled through the sky.

The fortress's walls bore the scars of prolonged warfare—deep scorch marks, cracks spreading like veins through the stone, and reinforced barricades where past breaches had occurred. Defensive positions had been meticulously crafted, forming layers of resistance. Each layer was manned by a mix of archers, mages, warriors, and summoned creatures, their glowing eyes filled with unwavering determination as they prepared to repel the enemy.

Boy and the newly summoned creatures found themselves at the center of the fortress courtyard, surrounded by seasoned warriors and hardened veterans. The moment they arrived, a powerful, oppressive aura settled over them, pressing down like an invisible weight. It was a test of will, separating the weak from those who would endure.

In that moment, a commanding voice rang out over the din of preparation, firm and unyielding, "Summons! Form ranks! You are about to fight for the Kingdom of Eldoria. Hold this stronghold! We must not let the enemy break through!" His tone brooked no argument, carrying both authority and expectation.

A tall, heavily armored man stepped forward, his presence undeniable. His deep blue cape signified his rank—the Head Battle Summoner, a rare class of summoner who fought alongside his summons rather than commanding from afar. His gaze swept over the newly arrived creatures, assessing their worth in mere seconds. Behind him stood a large contingent of summoner mages, cloaked figures with light yellow capes, their faces hidden beneath their hoods.

"You are now part of the Fourth Legion!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Your task is simple—defend this fortress! Eliminate the enemy, assist our soldiers, and ensure that no one breaks through our defenses! Failure is not an option!"

At that moment, the system chimed in, its cold mechanical tone delivering its decree.

[Ding! New Mission Assigned: "Trial by Fire"]

["Trial By Fire", Unique Mission:

Defeat as many enemy summons as you can (Count:0)

Defeat as many soldiers as you can (Count:0)

Survive until the end of the battle

???]

[Reward: Varies on success]

As the mission details solidified in Boy's mind, a blaring horn shattered the brief moment of respite. A guard on the stronghold walls yelled down with urgency, "Next assault inbound!"

Swoosh!

The ominous sound of something massive cutting through the air echoed across the battlefield. In that instant, a colossal boulder, launched from an enemy siege weapon, crashed down onto the fortress walls. The very stone trembled beneath the impact.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion rocked the courtyard as debris was sent flying in all directions. The sheer force of the impact caused the walls to groan in protest, dust and rubble cascading down upon the soldiers and summons scrambling to regain their footing.

Shing! Shing! Shing!

Metal clashed with stone in rapid succession. A blur of motion streaked past the falling debris, its movements too fast for the eye to follow. In the blink of an eye, the massive boulder was sliced apart, reduced to smaller fragments before it could cause greater devastation.

The gathered beasts were momentarily stunned by the swift defense, their awe quickly replaced by renewed urgency as the commander's voice rang out once more, "Fourth Legion! Charge out and defend the first line of defense!"

Boy barely had time to process the situation before movement erupted all around him. A sleek cheetah adorned in gleaming metal armor led the charge, its claws glinting under the storm-ridden sky.

The beasts surged forward, moving with practiced coordination as they exited the fortress walls, heading toward their designated positions on the battlefield. The moment Boy stepped onto the field, something stirred deep within him—a sensation unlike anything he had ever felt before.

'Is this… unity?' he thought, his gaze flickering to the creatures beside him. He could sense them, their energy, their purpose. Each movement, each breath, every ounce of tension running through their bodies—it all resonated within him. He wasn't fighting alone.

A sudden surge of power coursed through his veins, igniting a primal instinct that made his hackles rise. He wasn't just standing among them—he was connected to them, empowered by their presence.

Tooot!

The blaring war horns signaled the next phase of battle. From the fortress walls, archers released an overwhelming storm of arrows. The sky darkened as the projectiles streaked through the air, imbued with wind magic to enhance their speed and penetration. The barrage found its mark, striking the distant enemy ranks with ruthless efficiency.

Then, a vast shadow loomed overhead.

A different horn echoed across the battlefield.

TOOOT!

In an instant, the arcane energy in the air thickened. The hair on Boy's back stood on end as the power behind him intensified. The archers retreated slightly, replaced by figures draped in heavy robes. They raised their staffs in unison, their movements precise.

A meter away from the tips of their staves, massive fireballs formed, crackling with volatile energy. The fortress pulsed with magic.

Vvmm!

Boom!

The ground trembled as the fireballs were unleashed, crashing into the enemy lines with devastating force. Screams of agony and bursts of flame filled the air. Yet the enemy did not falter, pressing forward with relentless determination.

As they entered the hundred-meter mark, the commander gave the final order.

"Prepare to engage the enemy!" he roared, his presence an unshakable pillar amidst the chaos.