BOOM!
A second impact shook the entire wall. The main gate of Solaris shook violently, the iron-reinforced steel beams rumbling, as if ready to break at any moment. The Solaris troops standing at the front immediately lowered their shields, cold sweat pouring down their foreheads despite the bitter night.
BOOM!
The third impact was louder. Cracks began to appear in the iron bars that held the gate together. A soldier's shout rang out from the watchtower:
"They're carrying giant clubs!!"
A low roar followed, this time so close that Kael's chest trembled. From the gaps in the wood, red lights flashed—the eyes of monsters huddled together, thirsting for blood, waiting for an opening.
Kael stood amidst the throng of troops, Astralis clutched tightly. His hands still trembled, but his eyes remained unblinking from the crumbling gate.
"Ready yourselves!!" shouted the Solaris captain. His voice was hoarse, but firm. "Arrows up! Shields remain tight!"
Dozens of archers stood atop the wall, drawing their bows. Arrow tips glinted, ready to be released at any moment. The ranks of soldiers below raised their shields, forming a solid shield wall, spears peeking through the gaps.
Then—
BRASH!!
The Solaris Gate shattered. Steel beams snapped, metal fragments flying. Through the massive gap, the first monsters poured in, attacking the troops.
The creatures were tall, dark-furred, with massive, fang-filled jaws. Their red eyes blazed in the darkness, their long claws glinting in the torchlight. Their roars were deafening.
"CHARGE!!"
The Solaris troops screamed, charging forward with spears and swords. The first impact occurred—a spear pierced a creature's chest, but many of them lunged wildly, knocking soldiers over like ragdolls.
Kael was stunned by the sight. The first blood spurted onto the stone ground. Screams of pain mingled with the roars of the monsters. The sight brought back memories—of his burning village, the faces of his dead friends.
His heart raced. He gripped Astralis, the sword trembling faintly, a blue light beginning to glow from the blade. It was as if the sword knew: the battle had begun.
A Solaris soldier crashed to the ground right in front of Kael, his chest ripped open by the monster's claws. Blood flowed profusely, his face contorted in pain. The monster raised its claws again, ready to finish him off.
Kael involuntarily leaped forward.
"AARGHH!!"
Astralis swung. A bright blue light exploded from the blade, cutting through the night air. The sword struck the black creature squarely in the shoulder. A shrill scream erupted, and the monster's body was thrown back, ablaze with the light that burned in the slash wound.
The Solaris troops watching were momentarily stunned. One soldier shouted:
"It's Astralis!! Its wielder is descending to the battlefield!!"
Kael stood panting, his hands still trembling. The monster's blood blackened the ground, but Astralis continued to glow, as if strengthening its wielder. He stared at the growing number of monsters now entering the fortified city.
His eyes burned.
"This time… I won't run."
Kael raised the Astralis high, and the blue light radiated brighter, illuminating the Solaris array that was starting to waver. Some of the soldiers who saw him shouted again, this time with renewed vigor:
"With Astralis!! Protect the Solaris Kingdom!!"
The first attack broke out more powerfully. Monsters rampage through the fortress, the Solaris troops hold back with all their might, and in the midst of it all—Kael, the village youth who once knew only fear, now stands as a point of light on the chaotic battlefield.
Kael drew Astralis and stepped forward amidst the screams of soldiers and monsters. Three monsters charged at him at once—one from the front, two from the sides.
"RAAAHH!!"
Kael swung his sword with a full swing. Astralis shot forward, emitting a blue flash that sliced through the chest of the first creature. Black blood spurted, and the monster fell instantly. The other two creatures attacked simultaneously—left and right claws striking.
Kael ducked quickly, his body rolling to the ground, then rose again. Astralis spun around, slashing one of the monsters in the stomach. The blow was so powerful that the creature's guts spilled onto the ground, while its shrill roar erupted before its body collapsed.
The last monster attacked from behind, but Kael twisted, blocking with Astralis's blade. The impact made his hands tremble, but the sword glowed even brighter, as if energized. With a furious cry, Kael plunged his sword into the creature's neck, decapitating it and sending its head crashing to the rocky ground.
"HUFF… HUFF…" Kael's breath was ragged, his body covered in blood—whether it was the enemy or the fallen soldiers around him, he couldn't tell.
But there was no time to rest. More monsters pushed through the shattered gate. Five, six, even seven creatures at once surrounded him.
"Bastards…" Kael gripped Astralis's hilt tighter. "If this is the way, I'll fight them to the death!"
He charged forward, cutting off their path. Astralis moved like lightning, slashing one after another, despite the constant barrage of enemy attacks. Claws ripped through his shoulder, fresh blood flowing, but Kael gritted his teeth, slashed back, taking down two monsters at once.
But their numbers were endless. Kael was beginning to be pushed back, his breathing growing heavier, his vision blurred by sweat and blood.
Suddenly—
WHUUUMMM!!
A wave of fire exploded on Kael's left, sweeping over four monsters, their bodies ablaze. Their roars rang out before they vanished into ash.
A tall, dark-armored figure dashed from the smoke, swinging his long sword with graceful yet deadly movements. One by one, the monsters fell before him, cleanly cut.
"Ardyn…" Kael turned, his eyes wide with relief.
Ardyn slammed his sword into the ground, creating a blast of energy that knocked back the nearby monsters. He glanced at Kael, his face stern even as sweat dripped down his brow.
"Sorry I'm late," Ardyn said, his voice calm but determined.
Kael gritted his teeth, the light of Astralis flaring brighter in his hand. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you've come to help us all."
The two of them stood side by side, facing the endless horde of monsters. The Solaris soldiers around them, who had faltered for a moment, now shouted with enthusiasm at the sight of the two figures.
"For Solaris!!"
"Kill all these hellish creatures!!"
And the battle that night turned into a sea of fire, blood, and Astralis' blue light that shone even more fiercely in Kael's hands.