Night had descended upon us like a soft blanket. Stars sparkled in the heavens, and everything seemed calm. The forest around us stood silently, listening to the crackle of the fire as we prepared to settle in for another stop. Yet, something in the air felt off, as though nature itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the inevitable.

I sat beside my mother in the wagon, watching as my father and the others set up the campfire. Malenia, smiling, was chatting with Reyna about recent events, while Keir, as always, joked around, spinning his spear with a flair.

Then, a sudden sharp cry pierced the silence of the forest. In an instant, everything around us came alive. The group leaped to their feet, and weapons gleamed in the moonlight.

"Ambush!" my father shouted, gripping his sword.

My heart raced, but my mind was clear and cold. Without hesitation, I grabbed my mother's hand and led her behind the wagon, sheltering her in the relative safety of its shadow.

From the dense forest came the sound of snapping branches, followed by dark figures bursting through the undergrowth. The attack came swiftly, their cries echoing through the night. The moon, hidden behind clouds, only occasionally illuminated the chaos, transforming the battle into a frantic dance of shadows and light.

They charged at us, their swords and spears flashing, their eyes filled with fury and bloodlust. The once peacefully crackling fire now illuminated a battlefield, its flickering light casting eerie reflections on faces and weapons.

Malenia wasted no time, pulling her bowstring taut and releasing the first arrow. It struck one of the attackers in the chest, and he collapsed to the ground with a muffled groan. Reyna reacted instantly, grabbing her potions, ready to aid anyone who might be wounded.

Keir, armed with his ever-present spear, was the first to meet the attackers. With a grin, he stepped forward to face them, his spear flashing in the firelight, delivering swift and precise strikes. The attackers tried to surround him, but he moved with the agility of a dancer among them.

Not far away, Aldric stood firm, his massive sword carving through the enemy ranks. His face was grim, every strike deliberate and devastating.

Chaos erupted around us — shouts, the sound of splintering wood, and the clash of metal. It was a fierce and merciless struggle, where every second could be the last.

The attackers surged from the forest like a relentless tide, but I watched them with cold clarity. There was no room for fear in my mind — only resolve. I saw Keir holding the line against the first wave of enemies, his spear flashing with deadly precision in the firelight.

"Is that all you’ve got?" he taunted, dodging a strike and delivering a counterblow that felled his opponent.

Malenia, perched on the wagon, was focused and steady. Each of her arrows found its mark, and the attackers dropped one by one. Her movements were fluid and controlled, every shot purposeful and true.

Aldric stood like a fortress, his massive blade cleaving through the attackers with unwavering strength. His blows were powerful and precise, making him seem unshakable.

But there were too many of them. I could see our group being pushed back, holding together, but the attackers showed no signs of relenting.

The battle grew more intense. Keir found himself in the thick of the fight. His spear danced through the air, striking with a precision and speed that defied prediction. He moved like a force of nature, evading strikes and countering with lethal accuracy. The attackers tried to encircle him, but each attempt met with the unyielding barrier of his skill.

Malenia remained on the wagon, her bow an extension of her arm. Another arrow flew, taking down an enemy rushing toward Keir. Her actions were calm and calculated, and her expression showed unflinching focus. Not a single arrow missed its target as she maintained control over the chaos.

Aldrick, like a fortress, stood firm against the onslaught, his massive sword striking down enemies with destructive power. He wasted no movements—every strike was calculated and deadly. Around him, foes fell, but more surged forward. Without breaking his rhythm, Aldrick dispatched them one by one, holding his ground with unshakable determination.

Reyna, despite her role as a healer, was not idle. She skillfully threw daggers, each hitting its mark. Her eyes shone with determination, and even as she stood amidst the chaos of battle, her focus remained on aiding the wounded. With a dagger in one hand and a healing potion in the other, she navigated the battlefield, ready to provide support at any moment.

Yet, the sheer number of enemies became increasingly evident. They pressed harder, attempting to break through the defense. Each of us fought with all our strength, but the relentless pressure continued. The surrounding chaos grew, and every second felt like an eternity.

I couldn’t remain on the sidelines. When one of the attackers broke through toward our wagon, I stepped forward, raising my sword. The enemy looked at me with a smirk, clearly underestimating me.

"Think you can stop me?" he taunted.

"Try me," I replied coldly.

He lunged, but I was ready. Dodging his initial strike, I countered with precision, my blade slipping past his guard to find its mark. He stumbled back, but I didn’t relent. Every strike was exact, every step measured.

Another attacker charged toward the wagon, his towering figure and burning hatred evident in his eyes. He clearly didn’t take me seriously.

"Get out of the way, boy!" he growled, raising his sword for a strike.

I met his gaze with cold composure. My grip on the sword was steady, my breathing calm. He rushed forward, but I sidestepped his swing and swiftly retaliated, my blade slicing into his arm and leaving a deep gash.

"What the…?" he began, but I didn’t let him finish.

I moved into the offensive, channeling the skills honed in my past life into this battle. Every movement was deliberate, every strike precise. Realizing he wasn’t facing an ordinary child, the attacker changed tactics, but it was futile. I evaded his blows, parried his strikes, and countered with my own, driving him back step by step.

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His confidence faded, replaced by unease. He began to understand that he wasn’t fighting a mere boy, but an experienced warrior whose young body belied the strength and resolve within.

With one final thrust, I disarmed him, forcing him to his knees.

"Who's in the way now?" I said coldly, locking eyes with his defeated face.

At that moment, I saw my father struggling against two opponents. He was fighting valiantly, but his strength was waning.

"Ellard!" he shouted, noticing me. "Go to your mother. Protect her—she’s pregnant!"

Without hesitation, I raised my sword high and, with a swift motion, severed the head of the enemy in front of me as if slicing through butter. My father glanced at me, clearly surprised, though he didn’t let it show.

I scanned the battlefield, taking in the sight of our companions fighting with all their might. Keir stood firm against the advancing wave of enemies, shouting commands and rallying the others. His spear moved with deadly precision, inspiring everyone around him.

— You shall not pass! — his voice was powerful and unwavering, his spear dancing in the moonlight.

I turned to my mother, whose eyes were filled with fear, though she remained silent. Clenching my teeth, I raised my sword once more, ready to protect her until the very end. But then, from the shadows of the forest, he appeared — the leader of the attackers. His massive figure loomed against the trees, and his cold eyes burned with sparks of hatred. In his hands was a giant sword that seemed to be an extension of his being. Every step he took echoed like a harbinger of an impending storm.

— So, boy, — his voice was gruff and hollow, — you’ve decided to play the hero? Do you really think you can stop me?

I gripped the hilt of my sword tighter, forcing myself to maintain a calm façade.

— Step aside, — I replied, trying to sound confident. — Or you’ll regret it.

He laughed, his chuckle rolling through the forest like the ominous echo of a threat.

— You, boy? You think you can defeat me? — He took another step forward, his sword gleaming in the moonlight. — Show me what you’ve got.

I didn’t wait. Lunging forward, I aimed a strike at his side, hoping to catch him off guard. But he was fast. His sword met mine, and the clash of metal rang out, sending a shiver through the air.

We circled each other, our weapons clashing again and again, each blow like the collision of lightning. He was strong and experienced, but I knew my agility and technique could give me the upper hand.

Feigning a movement, I dodged his powerful strike and lunged forward. My blade pierced his armor, leaving a deep mark. But he didn’t falter, his eyes blazing with fury.

— You’re good, boy, but that won’t be enough! — he growled, his voice full of rage and pain.

He charged at me with renewed force, but I had already learned his moves. Using his momentum against him, I dodged at the last second and struck at his legs. The leader staggered but didn’t fall.

The leader, fiercely swinging his sword, lunged at me again when a shout came from behind:

— Ellard! — It was Keir.

He had seen me engaged in a duel with the attackers’ leader and, despite being surrounded, rushed to my aid. But his path was blocked by a wave of enemies, and I could see him gritting his teeth as he fought his way toward me, hurling his spear with such force that every strike was like thunder.

Keir was entirely immersed in the battle, his spear flashing in the moonlight and piercing enemies with ease. Beside him, Reina, clutching her blade, fought just as fiercely, shielding the injured. Malenia fired arrow after arrow with precision, her movements smooth and deliberate, like a dance in the rhythm of combat.

Aldric, with his massive frame and quiet ferocity, held his position, fending off attack after attack like an unbreakable wall. Every strike he delivered was powerful and devastating, and the enemies seemed to recoil from him as if he were a giant.

Keir, even amidst the chaos, kept his eyes on me. He saw how I, young but resolute, stood against the leader, fighting him as an equal. He knew time was against us and surged forward to assist, but the enemies clung to him, holding him back and hindering his advance.

— Hold on, Ellard! — he shouted, delivering another blow with his spear, but I could no longer hear his words. My entire focus was locked on the leader.

We exchanged blow after blow, each aimed at claiming victory. My opponent’s gaze was filled with hatred and determination. I could feel the strength — and the limitations — of my youthful body. Yet, my spirit remained unyielding.

The leader made a powerful lunge, but I managed to dodge as Keir drew closer, fending off enemies around him. Just as he was nearly within reach, the ground beneath me began to tremble. Cracks spread, separating us.

— No! — Keir shouted, lunging forward, but it was too late.

The leader froze, sensing the danger, but I knew there was no way to change what was coming. I stepped back, but the ground beneath me gave way. The last thing I saw before falling was Keir’s face, filled with despair, his outstretched hand failing to catch me.

I felt the air rush from my lungs as we plummeted down. Branches lashed at my face, and the forest's darkness consumed us at a dizzying speed. At the last moment, I saw the enemy I had been fighting also falling beside me, his eyes blazing with fury and fear.

We crashed into the ground, and for a moment, the world went silent. I lay on the forest floor, pain radiating through every fiber of my body. But despite it all, I didn’t allow myself to rest. Quickly looking around, I saw the enemy rising to his feet, his sword already in hand.

"This isn’t over," I thought, my mind racing.

He charged at me, his footsteps muffled on the soft earth. I forced myself to my feet despite the pain and readied myself for the next blow. Time seemed to slow again. I saw his every movement, every detail. His swing was powerful, but I knew this was my one chance to turn the tide.

As he struck, I dodged at the last moment and countered with a precise thrust, aiming my blade at his side. He hissed in pain but didn’t retreat. He came at me again, but this time I was ready. Dodging and parrying his blows, I seized the moment and struck with enough force to send his weapon flying from his grasp, leaving it to fall to the ground.

He was disarmed, but his gaze remained full of rage. I raised my sword and pointed it at him.

— This is your end, — I said, my voice calm but resolute.

I looked into his eyes — they still flickered with fury, but the confidence was gone. His chest heaved with every breath, each one a struggle. I gritted my teeth, feeling a storm of emotions within: anger, fear, and determination.

For a moment, my sword hovered in the air before I brought it down in one swift motion. The blade cut through the silence of the night, and the leader staggered, like a shadow caught by the light. He dropped to his knees, his body succumbing to gravity. His eyes met mine one last time — not with hatred, but with grim acceptance.

Then he fell to the ground. The world grew still. Only the rustling of leaves and distant cries of battle reminded me that life continued to move on.

I stood there, breathing heavily, my hand still clutching my bloodstained sword. Something clenched in my chest. This world... it felt as cruel as the one I had left behind.

No matter where I found myself, the essence remained the same. People fight, protect those they love, lose, and win, risking everything. No matter how many times I was reborn or in what form I existed — the world always demanded strength, resolve, and the willingness to embrace its darkness.

"Worlds may differ, but their laws remain the same," I thought. "Here, just like before, you must be ready to fight for those you hold dear. And though this body is young, the soul remembers the lessons of the past."

Clutching the hilt of my sword, I stepped back, letting the weight of the moment sink in. The burden of responsibility felt heavier than ever, but I knew this was only the beginning. In this world, as in the last, I would fight — for myself, for my family, and for those beside me.

Gathering my thoughts, I felt the tension slowly leave me, but with it came exhaustion. My heart pounded furiously, and my breathing grew more labored. My legs gave way, and I staggered.

The world around me began to blur. The ground, the forest, the cliff — all melded into a chaos of shadows and light. I tried to take a step forward, but my body refused to obey. My head spun, and I felt the earth vanish beneath my feet.

"Too... much..."

The last thing I remembered was the cold wind whipping against my face and the darkness swallowing me whole as I collapsed to the ground. Consciousness slipped away, leaving only silence and oblivion.