The Battle’s Second Wave

Evelyn barely had time to catch her breath before the distant horn's call sent a chill down her spine. Reinforcements. The enemy wasn't finished yet.

Kael rushed to her side, his sword still dripping with dark blood. "We need to regroup. If they're sending another wave, they still think they can win."

Lysara's voice crackled through the communication stone. "Scouts report heavily armored warriors approaching from the north. They're bringing siege weapons."

Evelyn cursed under her breath. The enemy was escalating. If those siege weapons reached the fortress, it would be over.

"We can't let them get close," she said. "Kael, take half of our forces and meet them before they cross the valley. Lysara, reinforce the fortress walls. I'll handle their commanders."

Kael hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Don't take unnecessary risks."

Evelyn smirked. "No promises."

As Kael and his warriors charged toward the valley, Evelyn turned her attention to the enemy's front lines. The battlefield stretched before her, littered with the fallen, but there was no time to mourn. Power surged through her veins as she gathered her flames once more.

With a single leap, she launched herself toward the enemy, fire trailing behind her like the wings of a phoenix. The first warrior to face her barely had time to react before he was engulfed in a torrent of flames. More came, but Evelyn moved like a tempest, cutting through them with precision and fury.

Then she saw him—the enemy general, a towering figure clad in black armor, his sword crackling with dark energy. He stepped forward, locking eyes with her.

"So, you're the one causing all this trouble," he mused, his voice like gravel. "Let's see if you can handle me."

Evelyn tightened her grip, fire coiling around her fists. "I was hoping for a real challenge."

Their battle was about to begin.