The battlefield was a maelstrom of fire, steel, and blood. The once-pristine valley was now a wasteland, torn open by the clash of armies. Arcturus stood at the center, his eyes burning with unnatural crimson light, his black armor cracked but holding. Each swing of his blade tore through multiple foes, his body moving with a fury that was no longer entirely human.
Above, the sky churned, black clouds swirling into a spiral as crimson lightning forked downward, striking indiscriminately. The very air tasted of iron and ash. Behind him, the Crimson Legion roared, their war cries echoing as they pushed against the enemy lines. But Arcturus could feel it — the enemy wasn't breaking yet.
"Push harder!" he barked, his voice like a war drum. "Break them before the reinforcements arrive!"
A sudden tremor shook the ground. The earth split, and from the fissures emerged monstrous constructs of obsidian and molten rock — the Infernal Sentinels. Each was a towering behemoth with glowing runes etched into its body, moving with the precision of war machines.
Arcturus spat in the dirt. "Of course they'd bring the Sentinels…"
He dashed forward, his sword igniting with crimson energy. The first Sentinel swung a massive stone fist at him, the blow strong enough to pulverize steel. Arcturus sidestepped, leapt onto its arm, and drove his blade into its glowing chest core. With a roar, he channeled his full strength, causing the Sentinel to explode in a burst of molten shrapnel.
But the others were already closing in.
From the ridge above, Lyra's voice cut through the chaos. "Arcturus! Clear the path!"
He looked up to see her standing with a squad of Crimson Archers, her bow already glowing with runic power. Understanding her plan, Arcturus surged forward, hacking and cleaving his way through the advancing enemy soldiers. The moment the path was clear, Lyra unleashed a volley of enchanted arrows. They streaked through the air like meteors, detonating upon impact and blowing apart two more Sentinels.
The enemy lines wavered.
But before the Crimson Legion could press the advantage, the sky screamed. A shadow descended — a winged beast of obsidian and flame, its massive form blotting out the sun. Its roar rattled the bones of every soldier on the field.
"The Infernal Wyrm…" Lyra muttered in dread.
It landed with a quake, molten saliva dripping from its fangs. With a single breath, it unleashed a torrent of fire that incinerated dozens of Crimson soldiers. Arcturus charged at it without hesitation, his crimson aura flaring like a storm.
The Wyrm lashed out with its tail, but Arcturus met it with a parry, sliding along its length and striking at its joints. Sparks and blood erupted. The beast howled, snapping its jaws at him, but he planted his feet, raised his sword high, and brought it down with such force that the ground split.
The Wyrm reeled but did not fall. Its molten eyes locked on him, and it lunged again.
Before it could strike, a thunderous war horn echoed from the horizon.
Both armies froze. Over the ridge came the banners of the Northern Vanguard — allies of the Crimson Legion. Their heavy cavalry crashed into the enemy flank like an avalanche, scattering soldiers and tearing open their lines.
Arcturus grinned grimly. "About time."
With renewed momentum, the Crimson Legion surged forward. Arcturus leapt onto the Wyrm's neck, driving his sword deep into its spine. The beast roared one last time before collapsing in a heap of smoke and molten gore.
As the enemy finally began to retreat, the crimson lightning faded from the sky. Arcturus stood among the bodies, his armor steaming, his sword dripping.
The battle was won… but the war had only just begun.