Chapter 35: The Arrival of the Dark Legion
A Shadow Approaches
Under a sky draped heavily with ominous clouds, David Haipoli stood silently atop the fortress walls of Arganoth, staring westward toward the encroaching darkness. It was more than merely storm clouds gathering on the horizon; it was the darkness of a vast army, a legion from the Dark Dominion, marching swiftly across the plains.
Beside David stood General Peter, his loyal friend and trusted commander, scanning the advancing enemy through a spyglass. Peter's jaw tightened visibly as he lowered the glass, his expression grim.
"They march faster than anticipated," he murmured gravely, handing the glass to David. "Their formations—something is deeply unnatural about them."
David accepted the spyglass and peered carefully through it. Indeed, the army advancing from the Dominion was unlike any he had ever seen. Their banners fluttered in the cold wind, black as night, emblazoned with symbols of ancient dread. The soldiers themselves moved in disturbingly perfect synchronization, their ranks utterly disciplined and silent, like puppets controlled by an unseen master.
"They are not ordinary troops," David observed, lowering the glass slowly, his expression darkening further. "Whatever Alaric has unleashed, it's unnatural."
Peter nodded grimly. "The men whisper rumors that the Dominion's soldiers do not fear death, nor injury. They call them the Black Legion—troops fueled by dark power."
David exhaled quietly, setting down the spyglass. "Prepare the troops. The enemy will arrive by dusk, and we must stand ready."
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The Siege Begins
As the daylight faded, the Dominion's army arrived beneath the walls of Arganoth. King Alaric himself led the force, mounted upon a dark war-steed, his black armor glittering ominously in the fading twilight. His voice rang clearly, cold and authoritative, cutting through the silent anticipation.
"David Haipoli!" Alaric shouted from below, voice echoing ominously. "Surrender your fortress and your empire, and spare your soldiers the horror that awaits them."
David stepped forward on the ramparts, voice ringing clearly back. "The Noah Empire bows to no tyrant! If you seek battle, you shall find only defeat."
Alaric laughed harshly. "You speak bravely—but bravery means nothing against the Legion of Darkness."
He raised his gloved hand, signaling his soldiers forward. Instantly, the disciplined ranks surged forward silently, swiftly moving siege weapons into position. Within moments, massive siege engines began unleashing a relentless barrage, enormous stones crashing violently against Arganoth's walls, shaking the fortress foundations.
Yet even more terrifying was the behavior of the Dominion soldiers themselves. As arrows from the Noah troops pierced their ranks, the Black Legion showed no pain, no fear—simply continuing forward in eerie silence, their eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
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Unnatural Foes
As night fully enveloped the battlefield, David and his generals witnessed something that sent chills through even their battle-hardened hearts. Dominion soldiers, struck down by Noah's arrows, rose again from where they had fallen, wounds sealing impossibly before their eyes. Shouts of disbelief and horror echoed across the walls as Noah's troops watched their fallen foes rise again, undeterred by mortal injury.
"They do not fear death!" Peter shouted urgently to David, his voice edged with disbelief. "They rise as quickly as we cut them down!"
David's mind raced. "Their strength is drawn from something else—something unnatural. Find the Dominion's commanders! If we cut off their leadership, perhaps we weaken their soldiers!"
Peter nodded sharply, rallying elite units to locate and target enemy leaders.
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Encounter in the Shadows
Meanwhile, Jiang, leading Noah's most skilled infiltrators, moved silently through hidden tunnels beneath Arganoth, seeking to flank the Dominion's forces. Emerging in darkness behind enemy lines, he observed closely, noticing something chillingly strange. Dominion commanders, cloaked in shadowy robes, stood behind the ranks of soldiers, chanting softly in a strange tongue. Black mist flowed subtly from their fingertips, drifting invisibly into the ranks of soldiers.
"They're being controlled," Jiang whispered sharply to Lily, crouched silently beside him. "The commanders fuel their soldiers with some dark sorcery."
"Then we know our target," Lily whispered firmly. "Eliminate them swiftly, and we sever the source of the Legion's unnatural resilience."
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Severing the Dark Link
With silent precision, Jiang and Lily led a swift, decisive strike, targeting the chanting Dominion commanders directly. Their swords flashed brightly in the darkness, cutting down the robed figures one by one, breaking the dark magic that empowered the Dominion soldiers.
As each commander fell, the soldiers under their control suddenly faltered, their unnatural discipline dissolving rapidly into chaos. David, observing from the fortress walls, recognized clearly the sudden shift in battle.
"They've lost their sorcery!" David shouted. "Attack now—while their ranks are weakened!"
Noah's gates swung open, cavalry and infantry pouring decisively forth, led by Peter, who charged fiercely into the faltering Dominion ranks. Without the dark power sustaining them, the Black Legion's soldiers quickly succumbed, no longer rising after each strike, their unnatural strength drained.
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Alaric's Retreat
Seeing the battle turning, King Alaric's eyes burned furiously, yet even his desperation was powerless to stop the collapse of his army. Realizing defeat was inevitable, he wheeled his mount around sharply, fleeing with his remaining commanders toward the darkness of the west.
Peter urged David urgently, pointing after Alaric's fleeing silhouette. "We have a chance—pursue him now, finish this threat once and for all!"
David hesitated briefly, weighing the risk. "No. Our soldiers are exhausted. The Dominion army is broken, their power undone. Alaric flees, but he flees as a defeated king. Let him carry news of his failure to his people. Our victory tonight is absolute."
Peter reluctantly nodded, trusting David's judgment. "As you command."
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A Brief Respite
As dawn broke, the battlefield beneath Arganoth lay strewn with fallen Dominion soldiers, their unnatural powers vanished entirely with the sunrise. Noah's soldiers stood victorious, though weary from the harrowing battle.
David stood once more upon Arganoth's battered ramparts, gazing thoughtfully toward the distant horizon. Athena approached silently, her eyes filled with pride and relief.
"You have won another victory," she spoke gently, touching his arm. "But Alaric still lives."
David nodded slowly. "Alaric is defeated but dangerous. Yet tonight has revealed something else clearly—the Dominion used dark powers to wage this war. Powers linked directly to the Old Gods and the ancient texts we found in Azareth. The threat we face is greater than any kingdom or ruler."
Athena's gaze hardened resolutely. "Then we must be ready. If Alaric dared to wield the power of darkness, others might follow."
David's voice was steady, firm with resolve. "Then let them see tonight's outcome clearly. The Noah Empire stands firm against darkness and deceit alike. Our victory here is more than a battle won—it is a message to all who would challenge our unity."
Together, they stood silently, watching as dawn began breaking, its golden light slowly dispelling the lingering shadows. The battle had been fierce and costly, but victory had been absolute. Noah's empire had weathered another brutal storm, yet David knew clearly that this was only the beginning of the final war for Noah's fate.
Far beneath the earth, deep below even the ruins of the Dominion's conquered lands, a faint tremor shook the ancient stone. Something stirred in restless slumber, disturbed by the echoes of battle and the distant whisper of powers it had long awaited.
The war was not yet over.
In fact, it had barely begun.