The Ruins of War

The morning air was crisp and heavy with the scent of damp earth as Kai led his troops through the forest. Every step brought them closer to the ruins—a place long forgotten by time, now destined to become the stage of their next battle.

Elira walked beside him, her gaze sharp as she scanned the landscape. "I remember this place from when I was a child," she murmured. "It was once a stronghold of the old kingdom. Now, it's nothing but broken stone."

Kai glanced at her. "Broken stone can still kill if used right."

Lyra, a few paces ahead, came to a stop. "We're here."

The ruins loomed before them—crumbling walls, shattered towers, and an overgrown courtyard. What once stood as an imposing fortress was now a skeletal shadow of its former self. But to Kai, it was exactly what they needed.

Solis ran a hand over the moss-covered stone. "These walls may not hold an army, but they can trap one."

Kai turned to his soldiers. "We use this to our advantage. We turn this ruin into a death trap before the enemy arrives."

Elira pointed toward the collapsed archways. "If we block off the side paths, they'll have only one way in and no way out."

Lyra smirked. "And if we set explosives in the weakest sections, we can bring the walls down on them."

Kai nodded. "Then let's get to work."

The soldiers moved quickly, gathering debris, setting traps, and sealing exits. Every stone, every broken column became part of their strategy.

Hours passed, and the sound of distant drums began to echo through the forest. The coalition was coming.

Kai climbed the highest intact section of the wall, looking down at his warriors. "This is where we make our stand. They think we're prey, running from a fight." He unsheathed his sword, raising it high. "Let's show them they were wrong."

A roar of agreement rose from his troops.

And as the first enemy banners appeared through the trees, Kai knew—this was the moment that would decide everything.