The Siege Begins

A tense silence gripped the ruins as Kai watched the enemy forces emerge from the tree line. The coalition's army was larger than expected—rows of armored soldiers marching in perfect formation, banners fluttering against the wind. At their center, the obsidian-armored commander from the hunting party rode forward, his dark gaze locked on the ruins.

"They brought siege weapons," Solis muttered beside him, pointing toward the massive wooden constructs rolling through the forest. Ballistae, trebuchets—enough to reduce the ruins to rubble within hours.

Kai exhaled slowly. "Then we won't give them hours."

He turned to his troops, positioned across the broken stronghold. "Hold your positions! We make them bleed before they breach these walls!"

Lyra, crouched behind a collapsed pillar, drew her bow and nocked an arrow. "I'll take out as many commanders as I can before they get too close."

Elira had already climbed to a high vantage point, where she could oversee the battle's flow. "Watch for their main force," she called. "They'll send their fodder first, but the real threat will come later."

The enemy commander raised his sword. The drums of war thundered.

Then, the coalition charged.

A flood of soldiers stormed toward the ruins, their shields gleaming in the morning light.

Kai gritted his teeth. "NOW!"

At his command, the first trap was sprung. Hidden trenches, filled with sharpened stakes, gave way beneath the charging infantry. Screams rang out as the front lines fell into the death pits, impaling themselves.

Arrows rained down from the ruins as Lyra and her archers unleashed their deadly volley. The sky darkened with projectiles, striking down enemy after enemy before they could reach the walls.

Then, the ballistae fired.

A massive bolt slammed into one of the crumbling towers, shattering stone and sending debris crashing down. The ruins shook, but still held strong—for now.

Kai saw movement from the flanks. A second wave was advancing, this time with heavy shields to counter their arrows.

"They're adapting," Elira warned. "We need to hit them harder."

Kai nodded, gripping his sword tighter. "Then it's time for phase two."

He raised his arm, signaling to the explosives team hidden in the ruins. A moment later, a deafening explosion rocked the battlefield as the weak sections of the walls collapsed—crushing dozens of enemy soldiers in an instant.

Dust filled the air, but through the chaos, the obsidian-armored commander still stood, unfazed. His cold eyes met Kai's.

He raised his sword once more.

And the real battle began.