Chương 14: The battle begins

A dark-skinned, powerfully built mage arrived at Seer Aelira's tent. Seated upon her throne, she slowly opened her eyes.

"Morvath…there you are at last".

"Seer Aelira. You sent for me?"

"Yes, I need to ask you a favor. You are one of the few mages capable of stopping Xarath should he decide to betray us. I want you to keep a close eye on him. Inform me if he does anything suspicious". Morvath hesitated.

"I am honored by your trust, but I am not on Xarath's level". Aelira smiled faintly.

"Not without limiters. With them, you are equals". Morvath's eyes widened.

"Limiters? Surely you don't mean you performed that ritual on him".

"I did. And he knows it".

"And he still hasn't betrayed us?"

"Xarath is not impulsive. Besides, even if he would never admit it, he now has a purpose. Without me, without this war, he would wander the world destroying lives, just as he always has. He needs us more than we need him. That is why I doubt he will betray us…but in the unlikely event that he does, I am counting on you". Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Morvath nodded slowly.

"I will do everything in my power to stop him, if necessary".

"Very good. Now go. I must rest". With a respectful nod, Morvath opened a portal and vanished into the void. In the Southern Lands, beneath a clear sky filled with stars, Ethan Light dismounted from his horse. He wore a golden cloak and a weathered white suit of armor scarred by time. Ahead of him, the enemy encampment was visible in the darkness of the night.

"Commander", Captain Russ whispered as he approached, "we estimate roughly a hundred enemies. Several of them are mages".

"It doesn't matter", Ethan replied calmly.

"Stick to the plan". Russ nodded and withdrew with the troops, concealing themselves among the dunes and rocks. Ethan drew his sword. It was longer and broader than most, its blade worn and marked as though it had been exposed to impossible temperatures. He tightened his grip around the hilt. The blade burst into flames instantly. With a single slash, Ethan unleashed a wave of fire toward the encampment. Then another. And another. Within moments, the enemy camp was transformed into an inferno.

Burning tents, agonized screams, soldiers running while engulfed in flames, others desperately trying to escape.

"What the hell…that sword is…" stammered one soldier.

"A legendary sword", Russ finished, his voice tense. Ethan unleashed one final fiery slash, then sheathed the weapon and turned toward his men.

"Attack. Now!" The troops emerged from hiding. The archers took positions on higher ground while the infantry advanced toward the devastated encampment. Ethan watched the scene in silence. Men burning alive. Soldiers slaughtering one another. There was no exhilaration in his eyes, only sadness.

"May all this suffering…", he murmured, "at least lead to something good". The battle had only just begun.