Chapter 15

After their victory, the empire wasted no time reorganizing its forces. The attack had left scars, not just on the city, but on the morale of its people. Arren and his squad returned to the Vanguard Imperial Barracks, each carrying the weight of the battle differently. Yet, the respite was brief. Within days of their return, Captain Velrik called a council to address the growing threat of the Ashen Order.

Arren sat quietly as reports from across the empire were presented. The Ashen Order's reach was spreading faster than anyone had anticipated. Villages were disappearing overnight, caravans were ambushed, and strange sightings of monstrous creatures were becoming more frequent.

"This is no longer an isolated threat," Captain Velrik declared, slamming his gauntleted fist on the table. "The Ashen Order is amassing power, and it's clear they aim to destabilize the empire. We must strike back."

A map of the empire was unfurled on the table, marked with the locations of recent attacks. Velrik's finger pointed to a region in the southeast—a dense forested area bordering the empire's trade routes. "We've received intelligence that the ashen Order has established a stronghold here. Our scouts report strange rituals and sightings of heavily armed figures. This cannot go unchallenged."

The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation settled over the knights. Arren's mind raced. If the Ashen Order was conducting rituals, it could only mean they were pursuing something tied to their dark magic—possibly even the dragons.

Velrik's gaze swept the room. "We'll send a reconnaissance team first, followed by a strike force. Arren, your squad will lead the vanguard. Your performance in Carthain has proven your capabilities."

Arren nodded, the responsibility both an honor and a burden. As the meeting adjourned, he lingered, staring at the map. Noor approached, his calm demeanor unwavering.

"We're being sent into the heart of their operations," Noor said quietly. "It's a dangerous gamble."

"Every step we take feels like we're walking into a trap," Arren admitted. "But we can't sit back and do nothing."

The next day, preparations for the mission began. Arren decided to leave Fri behind once more, instructing the pup to stay at the barracks. "I'll be back," he promised, scratching behind Fri's ears. The pup gave a small bark in response, as if to say he understood.

The journey to the southeast was uneventful at first, but as they neared the forest, an oppressive atmosphere began to weigh on the group. The air grew colder, and the trees seemed to loom higher, their twisted branches forming a canopy that blocked out the sun.

"It's like the forest itself doesn't want us here," Brynn muttered, her bow at the ready.

"Stay sharp," Noor warned. "The Ashen Order thrives in environments like this."

As they delved deeper into the forest, the first signs of the Order's presence became apparent. They found abandoned campsites, littered with strange symbols carved into the trees and ground. Mira shivered as she examined one of the markings.

"These are wards," she said. "Dark magic meant to deter intruders—or worse."

"Worse?" Torren asked, his grip tightening on his hammer.

"They could summon something to attack us," Mira replied grimly.

Arren's unease grew with every step. He could feel the faint hum of magic in the air, a sensation that set his teeth on edge. It wasn't just the forest or the wards—it was something deeper, something ancient.

Eventually, the squad reached a clearing where they found a structure half-hidden by the trees. It was a ruined temple, its stone walls covered in moss and vines. Strange, pulsating dark florid lights emanated from within, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor.

"This must be their stronghold," Noor said, his voice low.

Arren nodded. "We scout first. No unnecessary risks."

The squad spread out, moving silently through the underbrush. From their vantage points, they observed figures in dark robes moving about the temple. At the center of the activity was a large altar, where a group of sorcerers chanted in unison. The air around them shimmered with dark energy, and Arren could see faint outlines of monstrous shapes forming above the altar.

"They're summoning something," Brynn whispered, her voice barely audible.

Arren's heart raced. He knew they had to act quickly, but charging in without a plan could be disastrous. He motioned for the squad to regroup, and they discussed their options in hushed tones.

"We can't let that ritual finish," Noor said. "If they complete it, we could be dealing with something far worse than the monsters we've seen so far."

"But we're outnumbered," Mira pointed out. "If we attack head-on, we'll be overwhelmed."

Arren's mind raced as he weighed their options. Finally, he made a decision. "We'll split into two groups. Brynn and Torren will create a distraction on the far side of the temple. Noor, Mira, and I will take out the sorcerers at the altar."

The plan was risky, but it was their best chance. As Brynn and Torren moved into position, Arren led Noor and Mira toward the altar, using the shadows to conceal their approach.

The distraction worked perfectly. Brynn's arrows struck true, taking out several of the robed figures on the temple's perimeter. Torren charged in with a roar, his hammer smashing into the ground and sending a shockwave through the area.

The sorcerers turned their attention to the commotion, giving Arren's group the opening they needed. They rushed the altar, catching the remaining sorcerers off guard. Arren's blade burned with fire as he cut down one of the robed figures, while Noor's precise strikes incapacitated another. Mira focused on disrupting the ritual, using her magic to dismantle the wards surrounding the altar.

Despite their efforts, the ritual wasn't entirely stopped. A portal of swirling darkness began to form above the altar, and from it emerged a massive creature—a grotesque amalgamation of claws, fangs, and shadow.

Arren's breath caught in his throat, but he didn't hesitate. "Focus on the creature!" he shouted.

The battle that followed was chaotic and brutal. The creature moved with unnatural speed, its claws tearing through the stone of the temple as if it were paper. Arren's fire magic burned brightly as he fought to keep the monster at bay, while Noor and Mira supported him with precise strikes and healing spells.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Arren saw an opening. He channeled all his remaining energy into his blade, igniting it with a fiery blaze that roared like an inferno. With a powerful strike, he drove the blade into the creature's heart, and it let out a deafening roar before collapsing into a heap of ash. It utter deep monstrous growl only arren can hear "a void in your veins is outrageous "arren was taken aback and confused.

The battle was won, but the cost was high. The temple lay in ruins, and the squad was exhausted. As they regrouped, Arren couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning, and why it appears that i understand—no, probably lies.

The Ashen Order's stronghold was destroyed, but their influence remained. And somewhere in the darkness, their true leaders were surely watching—and waiting.

Authors notes;

i hope you kinda like this story too continue I'm still a novice in writing so for sure you might be seeing errors.

I'm open to criticism to learn more, thank you everyone☺️