CHAPTER 21: THE EDGE OF DESTINY

The battlefield was a symphony of chaos and destruction, the echoes of clashing steel blending with the anguished cries of the fallen. Smoke curled into the sky, blotting out the moonlight, while the scent of blood and fire hung thick in the air. Evelynn stood at the heart of it all, her pulse racing as she clutched her dagger, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

Darius and General Kael were locked in a brutal duel, their swords sparking with every deadly clash. Darius's face was set in grim determination, his golden eyes blazing with fury. Kael, in contrast, exuded a chilling calm, his movements calculated, his strikes precise.

Evelynn's fingers trembled around the hilt of her dagger. She had spent her life behind castle walls, never meant to be a warrior, but fate had thrust her into the heart of battle. And now, she had a choice—watch as Darius fought alone, or step forward and fight alongside him.

With a determined breath, she steeled herself. This was her battle too.

A shadow moved in her periphery. An enemy soldier lunged at her, his blade glinting in the dim light. Evelynn barely had time to react before she sidestepped, bringing her dagger up in a desperate arc. The blade found its mark, sinking into the man's side. He crumpled with a grunt, but there was no time to dwell on it. Another soldier was already charging at her.

She ducked under his strike, rolling away as his sword slashed mere inches from her. Before he could recover, she drove her blade into his leg. He screamed, collapsing to his knees. Evelynn yanked her dagger free, her breaths coming in ragged bursts.

Across the battlefield, Darius and Kael's fight raged on. Darius swung his sword in a deadly arc, forcing Kael to leap back. But Kael was fast—too fast. He countered with a powerful slash, his blade cutting a shallow wound across Darius's arm.

Darius gritted his teeth, his grip tightening around his weapon.

"You're growing tired," Kael taunted, a smirk playing at his lips. "Perhaps you are not as invincible as they say."

Darius wiped the blood from his arm and steadied himself. "You talk too much."

With a fierce battle cry, he charged. Their swords met again in a blinding flurry of strikes. Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel. Evelynn knew Darius was strong, but Kael was relentless, his attacks unyielding.

Then, a wyvern shrieked above them, the beast swooping low as it unleashed a torrent of fire. Soldiers scattered, screaming as flames consumed the battlefield. The heat was unbearable, scorching Evelynn's skin as she shielded her face.

Darius barely dodged the attack, but the moment's distraction gave Kael an opening. With a swift movement, he struck, his blade cutting deep into Darius's side.

"Darius!" Evelynn screamed.

Darius staggered, blood staining his armor. He barely managed to block Kael's next strike, his strength faltering.

Kael's smirk widened. "It's over, Dragon Lord."

Evelynn's heart pounded. No. She wouldn't let it end like this.

Before she could think, she moved. Sprinting across the battlefield, she gripped her dagger and aimed for Kael's exposed back. But he was too fast. He spun at the last second, catching her wrist in a crushing grip.

"Ah, the little princess," he mused. "Trying to play hero?"

Evelynn struggled, but his hold was like iron. He wrenched the dagger from her grasp, tossing it aside.

Darius roared, forcing himself upright. "Let. Her. Go."

Kael's fingers tightened around Evelynn's throat, cutting off her air. "Drop your sword," he ordered Darius, his voice a low threat. "Or she dies."

Darius hesitated, his entire body shaking with fury.

"Darius, don't—" Evelynn choked, but Kael's grip silenced her.

A tense silence fell over the battlefield.

Then, movement in the shadows. A flash of silver.

Before Kael could react, an arrow buried itself in his shoulder. He snarled in pain, his grip loosening just enough for Evelynn to break free. She stumbled back, gasping for breath.

From the ruins of the eastern wall, Lucien emerged, bow in hand, another arrow already notched.

"Now, Darius!" Lucien shouted.

Darius didn't hesitate. With a surge of strength, he drove his sword forward, piercing Kael's chest. The enemy general gasped, eyes wide in disbelief. Blood spilled from his lips as he staggered backward, his sword slipping from his grasp.

Darius yanked his blade free, and Kael collapsed onto the bloodstained ground.

A hush fell over the battlefield.

Then, the enemy forces wavered. Without their general, they faltered, confusion spreading through their ranks. The soldiers began retreating, some fleeing outright, while others surrendered.

Darius swayed, his wound bleeding heavily. Evelynn rushed to his side, catching him before he could fall.

"You're hurt," she whispered, pressing a hand against his wound.

He gave a weak chuckle. "I've had worse."

Lucien approached, surveying the battlefield. "It's over," he said, relief evident in his voice. "We won."

Evelynn let out a shuddering breath. They had survived. But at what cost?

Darius reached for her hand, his fingers warm despite the blood staining them. "You were brave," he murmured. "Foolish, but brave."

She managed a small smile. "I wasn't going to let you fight alone."

Darius gazed at her, something unreadable in his expression. Then, with a sigh, he allowed himself to lean on her, his strength finally giving out.

The battle was won, but their journey was far from over. And as Evelynn looked at the ruined battlefield around them, she knew that their greatest challenges were still to come.

For the war was not truly over. Not yet.