The third dawn pierced through the war's mist over Emerald Kingdom with a pale light, as if hesitating to greet a land still reeking of blood. The sun rose slowly, dragging a faint orange glow across the cracked stone towers, highlighting the tattered kingdom flags fluttering in the damp wind. At the western gate, dozens of Hunters and soldiers gathered, preparing their gear and weapons. Some arranged reserve formations, while others patched shields that had shattered under yesterday's black magic assault.
In a corner of the courtyard, an elite group stood apart. Their faces bore a heavy burden, though a spark of determination still burned in their eyes. Kaela stood at the front, leaning slightly on her magic staff. Her white hair still flowed beautifully, though dulled by lingering wounds and the smoke of earlier battles. Her once-brilliant silver eyes now seemed dimmer, yet deep inside them still shone courage. Her jade-like skin looked a touch healthier today — a sign her body was slowly recovering.
Arthur stood beside her, a proud Hunter of rank C, with fiery red hair blazing like a flame, and bright red eyes gazing at Kaela with brotherly affection. To him, Kaela and Lucifer were more than comrades — they were family worth guarding with his life. His large hands gripped his war axe tightly, silently promising no one would harm those dearest to him again.
Lucifer, who always seemed relaxed even in moments like this, leaned against a wooden pillar. His black hair was a mess, his red eyes glittering as he stared into the distance, trying to hold back anxiety. His face, white as jade, carried a trace of cold handsomeness mixed with heartbreak. Occasionally he tried to smile, though a tremor at his lips betrayed him. At his side, his belt neatly held the daggers that had accompanied him since his first days as a Hunter of rank E, though he often joked he was just the team's "mood booster."
They were not alone. Behind Kaela stood three more who would form the elite squad to assault the underground gate:
Rynn, a calm-faced light archer, his body slender and agile.
Mira, a gentle-hearted support mage, in a dark blue robe adorned with protective sigil patterns.
Zeke, a massive swordsman wielding a giant blade nearly as tall as himself, his voice deep and easily angered, yet with a sincere heart.
They all looked at Kaela, seeking one clear answer, one certainty that this mission was more than a suicide run. Kaela took a deep breath, steadying her pounding heart, then spoke softly but firmly.
"We cannot allow the underground gate to stay open. If Azog brings reinforcements from the east, this war will never end."
Rynn bowed his head slightly.
"We are ready, Kaela. If we fail, no one will be able to stop the orc hordes."
Arthur added in a grave tone,
"I swear to protect you all to the end."
Lucifer, as usual, chipped in with a quip, though his eyes remained serious.
"I'm in. You need a cool guy around so things don't stay gloomy."
Mira gave a small laugh, fighting the tremble in her voice.
"Hey, Hunter rank E… your silliness actually helps."
Zeke lifted his sword high, staring at his comrades.
"Then we go home together or die together. No one gets left behind."
The morning wind swept their hair, carrying the scent of wet earth, dust, and the iron tang of blood that the rain had yet to wash away. Their heartbeats seemed to synchronize — one long breath, then one brave step toward their fate.
---
Toward the Black Mountains
Their journey began under a gray sky, through the remains of a village burned to the ground. Charred buildings and human bones lay scattered, making every step feel like a stab to the heart. Children who once ran laughing through these yards had left only ragged dolls coated in dust. The caw of crows echoed now and then, adding to the bitter silence.
Kaela paused to pick up a broken child's necklace, studying its beads for a moment before laying it gently back on the rubble. Her heart ached. Every footfall felt heavier, burdened by the tears of those they had failed to save.
Mira walked beside her, trying to comfort her.
"You don't have to blame yourself," she said softly.
Kaela nodded faintly, though her face was clearly still drenched in guilt.
"If I don't stand in front… then who will?" she whispered.
Meanwhile, Zeke tried to lighten the mood with stories from his childhood. He laughed loudly, though the sound rang hollow.
"You know, I used to be scared of mice. Now I'm about to fight giant skeleton monsters."
He burst out laughing, and the others glanced at him, managing faint smiles amid their tension.
Rynn, always calm, spoke quietly.
"When this war is over, I want to teach children archery. So they don't have to fight like us."
Lucifer clapped Rynn on the shoulder, flashing a thin smile.
"That's a good dream. Me? I want to open a tavern, free drinks for every Hunter who fought in this war."
Mira added, gazing up at the sky.
"I want to go home. My mother is waiting. She must be so worried."
Arthur turned to look at them all with pride and affection.
"When we come back… we have to make those dreams real. Promise me."
A bittersweet tension pressed on their chests as they marched past cracked pathways, stained with dried blood. Moss-covered boulders looked like silent tombstones, a reminder of death lurking in every corner. Yet their steps pressed forward, refusing to retreat.
---
First Battle at the Foot of the Mountains
When they reached the base of the Black Mountains, a dark fog greeted them like a ghostly hand. The smell of sulfur mixed with rot choked their lungs. In front of a huge cave entrance, dozens of heavily armed orcs stood in tight formation. Their eyes burned with rage, their faces twisted with fanged, vicious snarls.
Zeke stepped forward, bellowing,
"ADVANCE! DON'T FEAR!"
He swung his massive sword, breaking through the first orc ranks. Blood spattered, bones cracked. Rynn dashed behind him, firing light arrows that pierced the dark fog and shattered the skull of a massive orc.
Kaela held the center of their formation, summoning holy blue fire to destroy undead creeping from the cracks in the stone. Lucifer spun swiftly, stabbing an orc that tried to skewer Kaela from the side. Arthur charged forward with his war sword, cutting down two orcs at once with earth-shaking force.
Roars, screams, the clash of steel, and bursts of magic — all melded into a war symphony. Black smoke rose from the ground, stifling the air. Blood pooled around their boots, making every step slick and treacherous.
Rynn shouted,
"WATCH OUT, ORCS ON THE RIGHT!"
Kaela nodded, catching her breath, then unleashed a burst of holy blue fire toward undead erupting from the ground.
Mira stood behind, weaving protection spells to hold their formation together. Her eyes were shut, lips quivering with ancient incantations.
---
The Burning Battle at the Cave Mouth
The first collision alone shook the earth. Kaela quickly cast a spell, building a blue light barrier to block the orcs' poisoned arrows. Meanwhile, Zeke slammed his sword into the ground again, sending shockwaves that tossed several orcs like ragdolls. Blood dripped from his sword, staining the black soil.
Rynn, eyes sharp, fired two arrows in rapid succession. The holy light on their tips exploded in an orc's chest, burning him to ashes. But there were too many. Every time one fell, two more came charging.
Arthur swung his huge sword, slicing through an orc's shoulder, then spun to kick away another trying to stab his gut. His breath was ragged, chest heaving, but his eyes still blazed. Lucifer darted alongside, ramming his daggers into an orc's throat, twisting another's arm, then kicking a third until it tumbled down.
Kaela moved strategically, firing blue fireballs at undead bursting from the fractured earth, reducing them to ash before they could even scream. But some orcs broke through and closed in.
Zeke roared, holding off five orcs at once with his broad sword.
"STAY BEHIND ME!"
he yelled to Kaela and Mira.
Mira kept weaving her protection spells, her hands trembling. Sweat dripped down her cheeks, her breath ragged. She fought desperately against the dark magic attacking their barriers. But as she glanced briefly toward Kaela, an orc spear slipped through her shield, stabbing deep into her chest without mercy.
Blood burst forth. Mira stared at Kaela wide-eyed, as if in disbelief.
"I… I'm sorry…"
she whispered before collapsing, blood soaking the dark soil.
"MIRA!"
Kaela screamed, reaching out, but too late to catch her friend's falling body.
Arthur turned, trying to fend off the orc that moved in to finish Mira, but he was too late. Mira's breathing had stopped, her body limp and unmoving. The protective magic shattered instantly, their defense lines breaking apart.
Kaela felt her world spin. Her body shook violently, her chest seared with pain. Tears streamed down, mixing with sweat and dust.
Lucifer looked back, his voice cracking.
"We can't stop now, Kaela!"
Kaela clenched her fist, casting again even as she sobbed.
"I won't let Mira's death be for nothing!"
she roared, summoning a giant blue flame that engulfed five undead trying to advance.
Rynn grit his teeth, shooting arrows relentlessly, trying to drown out the loss of their friend.
---
Retreat in the Midst of Encirclement
The battle grew even more chaotic. The orcs came in waves, unending. Zeke was already wounded in the shoulder, his breath ragged, blood dripping uncontrollably. Arthur stood firmly by his side, helping push back foes trying to breach their line.
Suddenly, from a crack in the ground, a giant undead emerged. A black skeleton twice the height of a man, its green eyes glowing, crawled out of the darkness. Zeke screamed in rage, raising his sword and slashing at its ribs. But the undead's claw moved faster, piercing through Zeke's chest and out his back.
"ARGHHH!"
Zeke howled, blood spraying onto Kaela and Arthur nearby.
"ZEKE!"
Kaela cried out, her eyes wide in horror at the hole in Zeke's chest.
Zeke tried to smile, though blood gushed from his lips.
"Protect them…"
his voice was heavy, before his body crumpled lifeless to the ground.
Arthur caught Zeke's falling body, trembling with fury.
"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH OUR FAMILY!"
he roared, smashing the undead to pieces.
Lucifer struck down another undead with his dagger, his breath ragged.
"ONE BY ONE? I WON'T LET THEM ALL DIE!"
he rasped.
Kaela tried to heal Zeke's wounds, tears falling endlessly.
"No more deaths… please…"
But fate was cruel.
---
They finally broke through the outer defenses, reaching the entrance of the underground gate — a massive stone door covered in ancient, red-glowing carvings. From behind the cracks of the gate, orc voices roared, as if thousands waited to devour them.
As Kaela prepared a spell to destroy the gate, Rynn screamed in panic,
"BEHIND YOU!"
An enormous orc leapt from a cliff above, cleaving Rynn with a huge iron axe. His body was nearly split in half, blood spraying across Kaela's face.
"Rynn!!!"
Kaela screamed, hoarse, her body shaking.
Rynn managed a faint smile, looking at Kaela and Arthur.
"Save… Emerald…"
he whispered, then fell, his eyes blankly staring at the sky.
Kaela sobbed hard, unable to stand, collapsing to her knees. Arthur wrapped his arms around her to keep her from fainting. Lucifer stepped forward to block the giant orc, slicing its thigh and stabbing its belly until it fell.
"Only the three of us left,"
Lucifer said, his breath trembling.
Arthur nodded, gazing at the blood of their friends staining the stones beneath their feet.
"They died so we could close this gate. We cannot fail…"
Kaela wiped her tears, standing with shaking legs.
"For them… for everyone… we can't stop."
Their steps moved forward, through the cracked gate — only the three of them now, carrying wounds and tears in their hearts, determined to destroy Azog's horrifying plan.
---