The group’s journey toward the capital had been relentless, and though they gained new allies, they also gained new enemies. Among the king’s forces stood a powerful knight named **General Aldric**, a ruthless and seasoned warrior who had sworn loyalty to King Darius. Aldric was no ordinary soldier—he was a wielder of ancient, forbidden magic, capable of enhancing his own strength and the forces under his command.
As they neared the city, rumors spread that Aldric had been dispatched to hunt them down. The group had fought many battles, but Aldric was a different kind of foe—a living weapon who stood as the king’s final defense.
“We’re running out of time,” Arlen said one night around the campfire. “If we don’t make our move soon, Aldric will find us. And when he does, he’ll slaughter us all.”
Leon clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the lives depending on him. “We can’t let him stop us. If we falter now, everything we’ve fought for will be in vain.”
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Arlen nodded grimly. “Then we press on.”
The day came when Aldric’s forces caught up to them. The clash was brutal, and the group found themselves outnumbered, fighting for their lives in the dense forest outside the capital.
In the chaos, Arlen and his band of warriors took the brunt of the attack. Their blades clashed against Aldric’s enchanted soldiers, but it was clear they were fighting a losing battle. The ground was slick with blood, and screams echoed through the trees.
At the center of it all was **Nia**, the thief. She had always been quick on her feet, darting through enemy lines and striking where it hurt. But this time, even her agility couldn’t save her. As Aldric’s forces pushed forward, Nia found herself surrounded.
With no way out, Nia turned to Leon, her eyes wide with fear but filled with a strange acceptance. “I’ll buy you time,” she said, her voice steady despite the situation. “Get out of here. I’ll hold them off.”
Leon shook his head, stepping forward. “No, we leave no one behind!”
But Arlen grabbed his arm, his face grim. “She’s right. We can’t win this fight. Not here.”
Before Leon could protest further, Nia rushed forward, blades flashing as she took on three soldiers at once. “Go!” she shouted over her shoulder. “Don’t waste this!”
Leon’s heart wrenched as Arlen pulled him away, but he knew they had no choice. With a final look back, he saw Nia fall, her body collapsing under the weight of the enemy, but her sacrifice had bought them the precious moments they needed to escape.