Ada’s grip tightened on the arms of her throne. Her breathing slowed, but her heart was pounding like war drums.

Ziron noticed the shift instantly. “Ada?” His voice was cautious. “What did you see?”

She slowly turned her gaze to him, the glow of her eyes dimmer than usual, as if part of her was still trapped in that burning vision.

“…I don’t know,” she whispered.

The words felt heavier than any answer.

Ziron stepped closer, concern written all over his face. “Was it a warning?”

Ada shook her head, but even she wasn’t sure. “It felt... like a memory I’ve never lived. Like I was supposed to be there. Like I was meant to stop it. But I couldn’t. And that voice...”

She paused, eyes narrowing as if trying to hear it again.

“You can't save them... just like you couldn't save him."

It sent a chill down her spine all over again.

Ziron studied her carefully. “Do you want me to look into it? Use the orb?”

Ada stood up slowly, her expression unreadable.

“No. Not yet. Whoever... or whatever that was... they’ll show themselves. And when they do…”

She clenched her fist, dark energy flickering around her knuckles.

“…I’ll be ready.

Ziron nodded slowly, though unease still lingered in his eyes. Whatever Ada had seen… it wasn’t ordinary. And he knew better than to assume it was over.

Ada rose from her throne, her presence commanding as always. She stepped through the great iron gates of her keep, and there they were.

Her army.

Thousands of skeletal warriors and undead soldiers, all standing in perfect silence. They looked up at her with hollow eyes, awaiting her word, her will.

For a moment, she just... watched them.

This was what she had built. What she had become. A force that no kingdom, no realm, dared challenge.

And yet, even with an army like this…

That voice still haunted her.

Turning back toward Ziron, her eyes glinted with quiet determination.

“I’m going to find out who it was. I must know.”

Ziron met her gaze, nodding once, though his concern never left.

“Please… just be careful. I’ll join you once I command your army. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Ada smirked faintly, that rare, almost playful spark flickering in her expression.

“I will be careful, Ziron. I promise.”

Without another word, she turned toward the horizon, the setting sun casting a blood-red glow across the land.

Whatever awaited her… it was time to find out

Ada rode east, the wind cutting against her cloak as her horse galloped through the darkening land. The closer she got, the heavier the air felt.

And then...

She arrived.

The vision was real.

The town lay in absolute ruin. Buildings crumbled under roaring flames, streets littered with the fallen — men, women, children... gone. The stench of smoke and blood filled the air, and Ada’s eyes narrowed as she slowly dismounted, boots crunching against the scorched earth.

She scanned the scene with a sharpened gaze, searching for any clue, any sign of who could’ve caused this massacre.

That’s when she saw it.

An orc.

Lying lifeless in the dirt, his weapon still clutched in his cold hands.

Ada’s heart skipped.

“…Orcs?” she muttered under her breath.

“But... they were driven back by me years ago.”

Something wasn’t right.

Before she could piece it together, a weak voice pulled her from her thoughts.

“P... please... help me...”

Ada turned sharply.

A child. Barely clinging to life, crawling through the dirt, his small hand reaching out with what little strength he had left.

For a moment, Ada just stood there. Shocked. Silent.

But only for a moment.

She rushed to him, carefully lifting the boy and laying him back gently.

“Stay still,” she said softly, a rare warmth in her voice.

Placing her hand over his chest, she took a breath and whispered the words of old:

“El al algar.”

May the gods lend me the strength to heal any wounds.

A golden glow ignited around her hands, radiating like sunlight breaking through a storm. She pressed her palm against the boy’s chest, the golden light wrapping around him, sealing his wounds with divine precision.

Slowly... his breathing steadied. The color returned to his face.

Ada exhaled in relief.

But her mind was already racing.

If the orcs were here...

If the town burned exactly as she saw...

Then the voice from her vision wasn’t just taunting her.

It was leading her.

And this... was only the beginning

The boy looked up at her, weak but desperate.

“Please... you must follow me! My mom... she’s trapped in a building. It’s on fire! Please!”

Ada gave a single nod, helping him to his feet. Without hesitation, she moved beside him, matching his pace—not flying ahead, not using her power—just staying close, steady, present.

They rounded the corner.

And that’s when Ada froze.

Up ahead, a group of orcs—stragglers from the old wars—were dragging the boy’s mother from the burning wreckage.

Then it hit her.

A brutal, shattering flash.

The memory of her own father’s words echoing in her mind… telling her about her mother’s fate.

That same helplessness. That same pain.

“Mother!” the boy screamed, snapping Ada back to the present.

Before another second passed, Ada vanished from the boy’s side in a blink of shadow and fury.

She reached the orcs, but...

She was too late.

They cut the woman down without mercy.

Ada didn’t speak. Didn’t scream. She simply raised her hand—and unleashed death.

Two swift strikes. Two orcs gone. Bodies hit the ground before they even realized she was there.

Then silence.

Ada stood still, breathing heavy, her hands trembling as rage boiled under her skin. She fought the urge to lose herself in it.

But behind her…

A gasp.

She turned to see the boy running past her, falling to his knees beside his mother’s body.

“Mom... I’m... I’m so sorry!”

His cries tore through the ruins, raw and heart-shattering. Ada turned her gaze away, bothered by the sound. It hit too close to her own pain.

After a moment, the boy looked up at her, his face streaked with ash and tears.

“Who... who are you? And... what are you doing here?”

Ada crouched down, lowering herself to meet his eyes. For once, her voice cracked with something rare—something almost broken.

“I’m Ada,” she said softly.

The boy wiped his face, sniffling.

“Will... will you get revenge? For my mom... for my people?”

Ada locked eyes with him. Cold. Sharp. Deadly serious.

She placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in just slightly.

“You have my word. Every single one of them will pay for what they’ve done.”

The boy stared at her, searching her face for any doubt... and finding none.

Finally, he gave a shaky nod, wiping the last of his tears.

And Ada stood, her eyes already scanning the horizon.

The hunt was on.

Ada was just about to mount her horse when it hit her.

A presence.

Dark. Heavy. Like the air itself was choking her.

Before she could even speak, Ziron rode up fast on his horse, sliding to a stop.

“Ada!” he called out, his voice urgent.

Her head snapped toward him.

Ziron’s eyes scanned the burning town, sorrow creeping across his face.

“Is this... what you saw?”

Ada gave a silent nod, her expression cold as steel.

But before she could process anything else—

BAM!

A massive axe came flying from the shadows, slamming into Ada and knocking her clean off her horse.

Ziron was already moving, leaping down and gripping his staff, eyes scanning the tree line.

Then...

A voice boomed from the forest. Deep. Mocking. Filled with venom.

“Ah... Ziron the Grand Wizard... and his pet.”

Ada scoffed, wiping a bit of dirt from her lip as she rose to her feet like the hit didn’t faze her.

“Pet? Bold words from someone too afraid to show themselves,” she snarled, her aura already crackling.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

From the shadows stepped a massive orc, skin pale as death itself, muscles rippling, jagged scars covering his face like trophies.

He grinned.

“Surprised you haven’t heard of me. Some call me the Pale Orc...”

He cracked his neck, gripping his blood-stained axe.

“But you... you can call me Gul.”

The tension snapped like a wire pulled too tight.

Ziron readied his staff, his eyes never leaving Gul.

Ada smirked, rolling her shoulders back.

“Well then, Gul...” she said as dark energy began to swirl around her hands.

“I hope you’re ready to die.

Gul’s grin widened, his sharp teeth flashing.

With a thunderous roar, he lunged forward like a beast unleashed.

Ada was ready.

She sidestepped with effortless speed, shadow slipping past his first swing.

But Gul was faster than he looked.

Before she could fully evade, his massive hand shot out, gripping her ankle mid-air.

Without pause—

SLAM!

Ada hit the ground with brutal force, the wind knocked clean from her lungs.

“Gauh!” she gasped, her eyes flashing in shock.

Gul chuckled, towering over her.

“The mighty Death Knight... how disappointing.”

But before he could finish the job—

CRACK!

A bolt of lightning ripped through the air, slamming straight into Gul's side.

Electricity surged across his body, forcing him to release Ada as he snarled in pain.

Ziron stood firm, his staff still humming with power.

“Get away from her!” he barked, his eyes glowing with raw magic.

Ada coughed, pushing herself up, fury now burning behind her eyes.

“Okay...” she muttered darkly, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.

“Now I’m pissed.”

She rose to her feet, her energy spiking as dark tendrils began swirling around her fists, shadows crackling with violent force.

Gul shook off the lightning, rolling his neck like it was nothing but a scratch.

“Good,” he snarled.

“I was hoping you’d actually fight back.”

Ada glanced at Ziron, who nodded, already preparing another spell.

“Together?” he asked.

Ada smirked.

“Together.

Ziron unleashed a blazing fireball, hurling it straight at Gul’s back. The explosion lit up the battlefield, forcing Gul to stumble.

Ada seized the moment.

With a roar, she charged in, her sword igniting with dark energy.

CLINK! CLANK!

Steel met steel.

Axe against blade.

Roar against roar.

They clashed, neither backing down, the shockwaves from their strikes shaking the ground beneath them.

Ziron moved swiftly, casting spells from behind, trying to distract Gul—bolts of fire, arcs of lightning, anything to tip the scales.

But Gul wasn’t having it.

With a snarl of frustration, he swung his axe with brutal force, slamming Ada clear across the battlefield.

She smashed into the side of a mountain, rock crumbling around her.

“Guhh!” Ada gasped, momentarily dazed, her body half-buried in stone.

Then she heard it.

Ziron’s gasp.

She looked up just in time to see Gul gripping Ziron by his robe, lifting him into the air like he weighed nothing.

Gul raised his massive axe, ready to strike.

Time slowed.

And something inside Ada snapped.

“DON’T YOU DAREEEEE!”

Her scream echoed across the valley, shaking the very earth.

In a flash, she exploded from the mountain, a trail of shadow and fury behind her.

Before Gul could even react, Ada’s fist connected squarely with his face, a devastating blow that sent the Pale Orc spiraling backwards through trees, rocks, and anything else unfortunate enough to be in his path.

The ground quaked where he landed, leaving a long scar across the battlefield.

Ada landed in front of Ziron, eyes burning with rage.

“Are you hurt?” she asked through gritted teeth.

Ziron, wide-eyed, shook his head slowly.

“Not... anymore.”

Ada turned her gaze back to where Gul had crashed.

“Good. Because I’m ending this.

From the wreckage of trees and shattered earth, Gul slowly rose. Debris slid off his broad shoulders as he wiped the blood from his mouth, glaring at Ada with eyes full of rage.

“This is not over!” he growled, his voice echoing through the burning ruins.

Before Ada could charge in to finish it, Gul turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, vanishing into the night like a ghost.

Ada stood there, breathing heavy, fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white.

She scoffed, spitting to the side.

“Coward.”

But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.

She turned to Ziron, her eyes still burning with fury.

“We must get ready for war.”

Ziron nodded, gripping his staff tighter.

“Then war is what we’ll give him.”

Together, they looked out over the ruined town, the flames still burning, the silence of the fallen hanging in the air like a curse.

This wasn’t just a fight anymore.

This was personal.

Ada and Ziron rode in silence, the weight of what just happened pressing down on them like storm clouds.

When the gates of her kingdom finally came into view, Ada slowed her horse, eyes scanning over the legions she had built.

Skeletons. Undead soldiers. Rows upon rows of loyal, relentless warriors, all standing in perfect formation, awaiting her next command.

But as impressive as they were…

Would it be enough?

She turned to Ziron, her voice low and serious.

“Do you think my army... and us... will be enough?”

Ziron didn’t answer right away. He looked out over the soldiers, his expression grim.

Then he shook his head.

“No. The orcs... they duplicate quickly. Gul won’t just come back alone. He’ll come with numbers beyond what we’ve ever seen. We will need a bigger army.”

Ada exhaled sharply, her jaw clenching as the reality hit.

This wasn’t just a fight anymore.

This was a war.

“Then we gather more,” she said, her voice turning cold, calculating.

Ziron looked at her.

“Where?”

Ada smirked faintly.

“Everywhere.”

Ziron nodded without hesitation, already knowing what had to be done.

“Then I’ll go to Elenbor.”

Ada raised an eyebrow.

“The dwarves?”

Ziron smirked as he mounted his horse.

“They owe us. And they’ve never turned down a fight. If anyone stands with us when the orcs come... it’ll be them.”

Ada gave a small, rare nod of approval.

“Good. Go. Bring back as many as you can. We’ll need every blade.”

Without another word, Ziron kicked his horse into motion, riding hard toward the west. Toward Elenbor. Toward the only allies that might be crazy enough to join this war.

Ada watched him disappear into the horizon, then turned back to her army of the dead.

“Prepare the defenses. Double the patrols. We don’t rest until Gul’s head is mine.”

The skeletal soldiers moved without question, their hollow eyes glowing in the dim light.

This was only the beginning.

The real war was coming

Ziron rode through the rocky pass leading to Elenbor, the great dwarven stronghold built deep within the mountains. The stone gates stood tall, carved with ancient runes, guarded by warriors clad in thick iron armor, axes gleaming at their sides.

As Ziron approached, the lead guard stepped forward, his voice rough and low.

“State your business.”

Ziron pulled back his hood, revealing his face beneath the moonlight.

“I must speak with your king. It’s urgent.”

The guard eyed him for a long moment. Then, recognizing the infamous Grand Wizard himself, he gave a sharp nod.

“Follow me.”

The gates of Elenbor creaked open, the grinding of ancient stone echoing through the valley.

Ziron led his horse inside, the mountain swallowing him whole as the gates shut behind him.

Torches lined the cavern walls, and the air filled with the sound of distant hammers striking steel and the faint rumble of deep, dwarven voices echoing through the halls.

After winding through the tunnels, the guard led Ziron into the Great Hall of Elenbor, where the dwarven king sat atop his throne, golden beard braided with silver bands, a massive warhammer resting by his side.

The king leaned forward as Ziron entered, his voice booming across the hall.

“Ziron! To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit? It's been years since you darkened our gates.”

Ziron wasted no time.

He bowed his head respectfully.

“Your Majesty. War is coming. The orcs are on the move again... and this time, they follow one known as Gul, the Pale Orc.”

The hall fell into silence.

The dwarves exchanged uneasy glances.

The king narrowed his eyes.

“Gul... I thought that beast was nothing more than a ghost story.”

Ziron shook his head.

“I’ve seen him. Ada has fought him. And he’s coming with numbers that would drown us all. We need your help.”

The king leaned back, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

“Then it seems... we prepare for battle

As the dwarven king finished giving the order to prepare his warriors, Ziron bowed his head.

“Thank you. Ada will be pleased to hear the dwarves still honor old alliances.”

But even as the victory of securing Elenbor settled in his mind... it wasn’t enough.

Not for what was coming.

As Ziron left the great hall and stepped back into the cold mountain air, his thoughts raced.

Who else... who else will fight?

Then it struck him.

The humans of the south.

A kingdom of skilled swordsmen, archers, and knights—strong in numbers, and stronger in loyalty when the cause was just.

Without wasting a moment, Ziron mounted his horse once more, his cloak whipping behind him as he rode hard down the winding path.

Southbound.

Toward the plains of the southern kingdom.

Toward the next army.

The clock was ticking.

And Gul was out there... preparing his own forces

Ada sat upon her throne, fingers tapping against the cold iron armrest as the silence of the hall settled around her.

Ziron was out there gathering forces.

The dwarves would fight. The humans might follow.

But there was one group she knew wouldn’t come easily.

The Wood Elves of the North.

Silent. Deadly. Proud.

They trusted no one. Certainly not someone like her.

Ada’s eyes narrowed.

“Ziron will have enough to handle... I’ll deal with the elves myself.”

She stood in a fluid motion, her black cloak flowing behind her as she stepped through the great gates of her keep.

Outside, her undead army stood still, watching their queen with hollow, lifeless eyes.

Ada mounted her horse, glancing once toward the horizon.

The wind howled. The skies darkened.

And without another word, she rode north.

Toward the deep forests.

Toward the Wood Elves.

Toward the next piece of the war she was about to unleash

The sun was setting as Ziron approached the massive stone gates of the southern kingdom. The banners of the humans rippled in the wind, golden crests gleaming under the last light of day.

As Ziron neared, the guards stiffened—hands on hilts, eyes wary. But before a word could be spoken, the general atop the wall leaned forward, recognizing the figure approaching.

With a commanding shout, he called out:

“Let him in!”

The guards instantly stepped aside, pulling open the heavy gates as Ziron rode through without slowing.

Inside, the streets were bustling with soldiers preparing for nightfall. Fires crackled, weapons were sharpened, and armor gleamed as men and women paused to glance at the wizard passing by.

Ziron dismounted as the general met him halfway down the main road.

“Ziron. To what do we owe the honor?” the general asked, his voice both respectful and curious.

Ziron didn’t waste time.

“War is coming. The orcs are moving. Gul, the Pale Orc, leads them. We need your swords.”

The general’s expression hardened.

“Then you’ll have them. We’ve waited years for the orcs to try something this bold again. And this time... we end it.”

Ziron nodded, relieved.

One more piece in place.

But even as the humans prepared their forces, his mind drifted to Ada.

Would the elves be as willing?

Time was running out.

The towering trees of the northern forest loomed high above as Ada approached the ancient gates of the Wood Elves. Mist rolled across the ground, the air thick with silence, yet she knew they were watching.

And as she reached the gates, they made themselves known.

Dozens of elven guards stepped from the shadows, silver blades drawn, shields raised. Their armor shimmered like moonlight, and their emerald eyes locked onto Ada with suspicion.

One stepped forward, his voice deep and unwavering.

“Who are you, and what’s your business here?”

Ada kept her composure, raising her arms slightly to show she meant no harm, though her power still radiated from her like a storm barely held back.

“I’m Ada,” she spoke clearly, her voice echoing through the trees. “Queen of Aldron. I’ve come to speak with your king.”

The guard glanced back at the others, uncertainty flashing in his gaze.

After a long pause, he turned back to her.

“Wait here. I will speak with the king. If he decides you are worth his time… you’ll be summoned.”

Ada simply nodded, unfazed.

“He’ll want to hear what I have to say.”

The guard scoffed quietly but disappeared into the trees, leaving Ada surrounded by watchful eyes and drawn swords.

She stood there in the silence, waiting… knowing the elves weren’t just skeptical.

They were afraid.

Not of what was coming.

But of her.

The guard emerged from the trees, his expression unreadable.

“He will hear your plea,” he said, his tone clipped and sharp. “But you will hand over your weapons. No magic in the halls. Break that rule, and you won’t leave these woods alive.”

Ada paused.

Her instinct screamed not to.

To never part with her blades. To never walk unarmed into the court of those who barely tolerated her existence.

But... this wasn’t about pride. This was about war.

After a long moment, she unfastened the twin swords from her back and held them out.

The guard snatched them aggressively, almost as if he was testing her restraint.

Ada’s eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.

Until—

**Shove.

A hard push hit her back, forcing her forward.

“Move,” the guard ordered.

Ada’s hands twitched, dark energy flickering just beneath her skin before she forced it down.

Not yet.

With a glare that could have frozen the wind itself, Ada followed as they led her through the ancient gates, deeper into the heart of the elven kingdom.

The halls of the Wood Elves were just as she remembered—beautiful, cold, untouched by time.

And at the far end, seated on a throne of woven roots and golden leaves, was the Elven King.

Eyes sharp. Smile thin.

“Ada of Aldron,” he greeted coolly. “To what do we owe the... pleasure?

Ada lowered her head slightly in a respectful bow, her voice calm but firm.

“It’s a pleasure, Elrond... but I come with urgent news. A threat brews in the east. A Pale Orc named Gul is gathering an army. If we don’t unite now, we won’t survive what's coming.”

For a long moment, Elrond said nothing.

He studied her with that sharp, calculating gaze of his—like he was reading every thought behind her words.

And then...

A scoff.

“And what makes you think I would help someone who attacked our village out of blind rage?”

Ada held her ground, trying to push past the sting of his words.

“I could cont—”

But Elrond cut her off, his voice rising, echoing through the hall.

“You will not have our help.”

The entire room fell silent.

The guards tensed.

Elrond leaned forward from his throne, his glare sharper than any blade.

“You slaughtered 80,000 of my people. Eighty. Thousand. And now you stand before me asking for more of my warriors? You must be truly bold, Ada.”

Ada’s jaw tightened, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.

But she didn’t snap.

Not yet.

Instead, she lifted her eyes and met his stare directly

Ada clenched her jaw, holding back the storm raging beneath her skin.

But for once... she spoke not as the Death Knight, not as a queen... but as someone haunted.

“Look... do you think I did that and wasn’t scared after?”

Her voice softened, almost like the words hurt to say.

“I couldn’t control that rage, Elrond... I lost everything. I lost myself.”

For just a heartbeat, the room seemed to still.

But Elrond only shook his head slowly, eyes cold as winter frost.

“Tell that to the people you slaughtered,” he said quietly.

Then, without another word, he stood from his throne and turned away.

“This audience is over. Leave our lands.”

The guards shifted, gripping their weapons, ready to escort her out.

Ada stood there, staring at the back of the elven king.

For a moment, she thought about saying more. Pleading her case.

But what was the point?

They'd never see her as anything more than the monster from that day.

She turned on her heel, walking out without another word, the heavy weight of her past pressing harder than ever.

Night had fallen by the time Ada rode back through the gates of her kingdom.

The wind was cold. The sky was dark.

And for once... so was she.

Ziron stood waiting, his horse already stabled, the human and dwarven forces beginning to gather behind him in the distance.

But the moment he saw Ada’s face…

He didn’t ask for details.

She dismounted slowly, her movements heavy, and walked straight past him without a word.

Straight into the throne room.

Straight to her throne.

She sat down.

Silent.

Motionless.

For the first time in a long while… no sharp remarks. No strategies. No orders.

Just silence.

Ziron stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. He stood near the center of the room, watching her as she stared out over her dark kingdom.

Finally, he asked, voice low, already knowing the answer.

“The elves said no?”

Ada didn’t even look at him.

She just nodded once.

That was all she had left to give.

And Ziron… respected the silence

The long night passed in heavy silence.

No words.

No plans.

Just the weight of rejection and the shadow of the war to come.

But as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the kingdom, Ada finally stood.

Her throne creaked softly as she rose, her cloak falling into place around her shoulders like the night itself.

Ziron, already waiting nearby, looked up from the map table, saying nothing.

Until Ada spoke.

Her voice cut through the quiet, steady and cold.

“Gather my army.”

Ziron didn’t question it.

Didn’t argue.

Didn’t ask if she was sure.

He simply nodded once and turned on his heel, marching out onto the front steps of the keep.

With a voice like thunder, he roared:

“FORWARDS!”

The kingdom came alive.

Skeletal warriors clashed shields. Undead soldiers formed ranks. War horns echoed across the hills.

The Death Knight’s army was awake.

And they were marching to war

The land of Alderia was dead silent.

The wind howled across the empty plains, carrying the scent of ash and steel.

At the peak of the mountain ahead stood Gul, towering over the battlefield like a demon from the abyss. His army of orcs stretched as far as the eye could see, their roars shaking the ground beneath them.

Behind him, fires burned.

And in front of him…

Death waited.

Ada arrived with Ziron at her side, her undead army marching in perfect formation behind her. The clatter of bones and rusted steel filled the air like a war drum.

To her left, the dwarves of Elenbor held the line, axes gleaming under the blood-red sky.

To her right, just cresting the hill, the humans rallied behind their banners, knights and archers locking into formation.

It was all here.

Everything they built.

Everything they prepared for.

Ada moved her horse to the front, stopping before the entire army.

Thousands of eyes—living and dead—fell on her.

For a moment, the world stood still.

The world held its breath.

Gul watched from the mountain, his army snarling and ready to spill blood.

The dwarves stood tall.

The humans lined the hills.

Ada’s undead forces filled the valley, silent and waiting.

And at the very front, Ada raised her sword high, shadows swirling around her like a gathering storm.

Her voice echoed across Alderia, cutting through the wind, the fear, the doubt—

“FOR ALDRON!”

The roar of thousands followed, shaking the earth beneath them.

And with that, the war began

this is the end of chapter 2 let me know in comments or by just rating this story on what you guys think chapter 3 will be continuing the war so stay tuned!