Fire blazed, blood splattered the rocky ground, and the roars of monsters echoed in the night air. Kael stood with his Astralis gleaming blue, while at his side, Ardyn, wielded his Solaris steel sword, simple yet deadly, reflecting his experience as a Solaris knight.
Two distinct figures—a village youth with a legendary sword, and a knight who had honed his skills for years—stood side by side facing the horde of monsters.
"Kael," Ardyn's voice was low but clear, "remember everything I've taught you. Watch your step, don't let them touch you."
Kael nodded curtly. "I'll do my best."
The monsters charged again. Four tall, dark-furred creatures charged at once.
Ardyn stepped forward, his body agile despite his armor. His sword plunged swiftly under the jaw of one monster, then pulled roughly, sending it crashing to the ground. Kael filled the gap beside him—Astralis blazing blue, cutting through two monsters at once, the sword's light searing their wounds until their bodies crumpled to the ground.
The last monster leaped at Kael, its claws ready to rip. But Ardyn pushed Kael aside and parried with his sword. A loud metallic sound rang out. With a swift movement, he stabbed the creature in the stomach, holding it still long enough for Kael to turn and slash it clean with Astralis.
"Good job, Kael," Ardyn said curtly, smiling faintly.
Kael took a deep breath and smiled back. "Thank you."
The Solaris troops, seeing their courage, were rekindled.
"That's Kael with the Astralis Sword and the Ardyn Knights!!"
"We're not defeated yet!!"
"Move forward!!"
The previously extinguished morale was now rekindled. The ranks of the soldiers closed again, shields raised, spears thrusting forward. From the top of the wall, arrows rained down on the monsters trying to break through.
Kael and Ardyn continued to move like a small storm. Astralis glowed blue, slicing through the monsters one by one, while Ardyn's steel sword stabbed quickly and precisely, striking their weak points. They closed the gap, protecting each other, like teacher and student now fighting as equals.
The Solaris forces around them pushed forward. The screams of monsters began to mingle with the cheers of humanity.
"For Solaris!!"
"All of you, advance!!"
Kael glanced at Ardyn beside him. The one who had taught him to wield a sword was now fighting alongside him. A sense of pride grew in his chest, mixed with a burning determination.
That night, amidst the flames and blood, the Solaris swords blazed—one glowing with the legendary blue, the other simply a sword, but wielded by the hand of a true knight.
And together, they led a resistance that changed the course of the battle.
Blood dripped from the Astralis blade, glowing blue in the darkness. Kael was breathing rapidly, his body covered in small wounds, while Ardyn, beside him, continued to move calmly, each slash of his sword precise.
The monsters continued to break through, even as the Solaris ranks began to tighten. The soldiers' cheers mixed with screams of pain, the night filled with darkness and death.
Kael slashed again, the Astralis light slicing the monster's body in half as it lunged for him. He rolled quickly, avoiding another creature's claws, then rose again to stab it in the chest. Ardyn closed the gap on his left flank, his sword lodged in the enemy's throat, then pulled back roughly, black blood splashing onto his face.
"Keep moving!! Don't give them a chance to attack!!" Ardyn shouted loudly, though his breathing was labored.
The Solaris forces began to press back, slashing, stabbing, and pushing the horde of monsters out of the shattered gate.
But—
BOOMMMM!!
The ground shook. A heavy thud sounded from behind the smoke. All the soldiers, even the monsters in combat, suddenly stopped for a moment.
DUUUMMMM!!
DUUUMMMM!!
The footsteps drew closer, each blow like a giant hammer striking everyone in the chest. The flames from the burning building swayed, a large shadow slowly emerging from the darkness.
"...What is that?" muttered a Solaris soldier, his face pale.
The smaller monsters suddenly roared in unison, not to attack, but to greet. They stepped aside, clearing a path.
Then the figure appeared.
A giant, as tall as a gate tower, with jet-black skin covered in red scales that gleamed like blazing fire. Two curved horns protruded from its head, and its eyes glowed a dazzling red. In its hand was a serrated sword, as large as a block of steel, its blade dripping with fresh blood that emitted black smoke.
A roar erupted from its mouth, so powerful that the Solaris soldiers' eardrums rang.
"GRUUUUAAARRHHHHH!!"
From the watchtower, a soldier shouted in panic:
"Ra… Ravorth!! Ravorth, the destroyer of ranks!!"
For a moment, the newly revived atmosphere of Solaris collapsed again. Several soldiers immediately retreated, their faces ashen. "No… it can't be…"
Kael stood rigid, his hand gripping Astralis trembling. Ravorth's aura was so oppressive, his lungs felt like they couldn't draw in air. His vision blurred, as if the creature's dark shadow were devouring all light.
Ardyn stepped forward halfway, staring at the giant with a sharp gaze. His breathing was heavy, but his voice was loud and firm:
"Kael. Don't be afraid. It's just a simple monster."
Kael looked at his mentor and nodded slightly. Astralis responded to his wave of determination, its blade glowing brighter, a blue that challenged Ravorth's darkness.
Ravorth slammed his sword into the ground—
BOOOOMMM!!
The ground shook violently, and the Solaris soldier fell, cracks spreading across the rocks. The smaller monsters roared wildly, their spirits blazing with excitement at the presence of their commander.
The Solaris army began to falter again. Kael gritted his teeth and shouted loudly, his voice trembling but clear:
"If we retreat now, it will all end here!! We cannot let them destroy our kingdom!!"
Astralis shone like blue flames amidst a sea of hell. Ardyn patted his shoulder briefly, then raised his sword.
"Very well then. Everyone, let's finish off these monsters."
Amidst the flames, the two knights stood tall facing Ravorth, the demon leader of the legion, known as the destroyer of ranks.
And the Solaris night transformed from a mere battle against monsters… into a life-and-death struggle.