“We need to gather the troops,” Averon said, his voice firm. “Whatever is out there, we can’t face it alone.”
Leo nodded and got up from his bed, his muscles still aching from his previous battle. He grabbed the sword that Jonathan had left him, a silver blade with a golden border and two shining rubies embedded in its frame.
The two of them swiftly made their way to the barracks, where the soldiers of the military base were resting after a long day of training. The barracks erupted into chaos as the soldiers scrambled to their feet, the urgency in Leo and Averon’s voices cutting through the confusion.
“Good evening, soldiers,” Averon began, his voice resonating with authority. “My name is Averon, also known as the lieutenant of platoon four. Tonight, we face a threat that none of us expected, and we must stand together to protect this city. I know many of you are part of the outer posts and may not have the same level of training as our platoon members, but we will overcome this challenge together. All you need to do is follow my orders, and we’ll come out of this victorious.”
Averon’s speech was met with a tense silence from more than two hundred soldiers. Fear and uncertainty hung in the air, but there was also a sense of determination. They were soldiers, trained for battle, and they would not back down from a fight.
“Now, grab your weapons and get ready to protect this city!” Averon’s command cut through the hesitation. Soldiers rushed to retrieve their swords, bows, and shields, their training kicking in as they prepared for the impending battle.
The night was dark, and a chilling wind rustled the leaves in the surrounding forest. The soldiers formed a defensive line at the edge of the military base, their weapons glinting in the moonlight. Averon stood at the forefront, his eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement.
Suddenly, a haunting howl pierced the night, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath their feet. Out of the shadows emerged a pack of massive wolves, their fur as white as the snow, their eyes gleaming with an eerie crimson light. At the forefront of the pack stood a colossal wolf, its size and presence marking it as the alpha. The wolf opened it’s mouth making it able to witness it’s gigantic teeth that resembled blades.
The alpha wolf let out a bone-chilling roar, and the rest of the pack followed suit. It was a fierce and unsettling symphony of howls that would even make the dead feel fear.
Leo tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding in his chest. The wolves moved with coordinated precision, encircling the soldiers, their predatory eyes locked onto their prey. This was no ordinary wolf pack; they were dealing with something far more menacing.
Averon shouted orders, and the soldiers formed a defensive formation, shields raised and swords at the ready. One of the wolves charged forward with incredible speed, its jaws gaping wide, and it lunged at the nearest soldier.
Leo sprang into action, meeting the wolf’s attack head-on. He parried its snapping jaws with his sword, the force of the impact sending tremors through his arms. The beast’s strength was astonishing, and Leo struggled to hold it back.
In the midst of the chaos, soldiers battled the other wolves, arrows flying through the air and swords clashing against fangs and claws. The forest echoed with the sounds of combat, the scent of blood thick in the air. Death was around the corner for everyone.
With a mighty push, Leo managed to shove the attacking wolf back, creating a brief respite. He locked eyes with the ferocious creature, a silent understanding passing between them. This was a battle to the death with no friend or foe nearby to disturb them.
The wolf lunged again, and Leo met it with a swift and precise strike. His sword sliced through the air, finding its mark as it pierced the wolf’s chest. It was note worthy that this wolf was way weaker than the one that Leo fought before. A howl of pain and rage erupted from the enemy’s throat as it staggered back, blood oozing from the wound.
But there was no time to savor the victory. More wolves closed in, their red eyes burning with vengeance. Leo fought with all his strength, his sword a blur of silver in the moonlight as he defended the soldiers and struck down his foes. The large beast fell on the ground and it’s eyes turned gray.
The others fought valiantly, their determination unwavering in the face of the relentless wolf pack. But the battle was far from over, Leo looked around and saw a wound on both the alpha wolf and Averon, they were wounded but not defeated,
both sides continued to lead the assault.
The night was filled with the clash of steel, the snarls of wolves, and the shouts of soldiers. In this moonlit battleground, Leo knew that survival meant fighting with everything he had.
As the battle raged on, Leo’s every move was a dance of survival. His body ached, and his muscles protested with each swing of his sword, but he couldn’t afford to falter. The soldiers by his side fought with unwavering strength, their collective willpower keeping them in the fight.
The alpha wolf, its fur matted with blood, continued to lead the pack with a relentless fury. It seemed impervious to pain, its crimson eyes now locked onto Leo as if he were its sworn enemy.
In a swift and daring move, the wolf lunged at Leo, its jaws aiming for his throat. Leo was pushed by a soldier and fell to the ground which made him dodge the deadly attack. Leo learned that focus was needed all the time on the battlefield. A soldier managed to throw a spear into the side of the alpha with terrifying precision.
The wolf howled in agony, but its resilience was astonishing. It turned around and started a rampage attacking all humans it could see. Leo had to watch how multiple soldiers were eaten alive or thrown high into the air by this killing machine.
Averon and the other soldiers fought on, but it was clear that they were outnumbered and outmatched. The alpha wolf’s presence seemed to bolster the pack’s strength, and they showed no signs of retreating.
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With a determined grimace, Leo pushed himself to his feet, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He knew that if they didn’t find a way to defeat the alpha, the battle would end in tragedy.
The alpha wolf circled Leo, its crimson eyes filled with malice. It was as if the creature had a personal vendetta, and Leo couldn’t afford to underestimate it. He needed a plan, a way to turn the tide of the battle.
Spotting an opportunity, Leo locked eyes with Averon, who was engaged in combat nearby. With a nod, they communicated silently, understanding that they needed to focus their efforts on taking down the alpha.
Averon rallied the soldiers, creating a diversion that drew the attention of the other wolves. It was a risky move, but Leo seized the moment. He lunged at the alpha wolf, his sword poised for a perfect attack, off course Leo wouldn’t be able to land a killing blow that’s why Averon hadn’t used his comrades who had come with him to our base on the battlefield. The enemy leader was fully focused on dodging the “feint” that came from Leo and didn’t notice seven man coming from the bushes with weapons ready in hand. All off them charged forward ready to fight. Three of them jumped two meters into the air two with swords and the other with a gigantic battle ax. All of their attacks hit leaving the wolf in astonishment.
With a swift and calculated strike, one of the soldiers drove his sword deep into the alpha’s side.
Agony contorted the alpha’s face as the man’s blade found its mark. Blood gushed from the wound, staining the forest floor. The other wolves, momentarily distracted by Averon’s tactics, turned their attention back to their wounded leader.
The incredible team didn’t waste a moment and went to Averon to help. With a surge of strength and dexterity, he withdrew his sword from the alpha’s side and delivered a final, decisive blow. The blade pierced the alpha’s heart, and a guttural, haunting howl filled the night.
The alpha wolf collapsed, its crimson eyes dimming as life left its body. The other wolves, witnessing the fall of their leader, faltered in their attack. Averon and the soldiers pressed their advantage, driving back the remaining wolves.
The battle had taken its toll, and the forest was strewn with the bodies of fallen wolves. But the soldiers had emerged victorious, their unity and resilience prevailing in the face of a formidable foe.
As the last of the surviving wolves retreated into the darkness of the forest, Leo stood among his comrades, his chest heaving with exertion. The alpha’s lifeless body lay at his feet, a testament to their hard-fought victory.
Averon approached Leo, a mixture of admiration and gratitude in his eyes. “You fought bravely, Leo,” he said, his voice filled with genuine respect. “You did better than I had expected.”
Leo nodded, his exhaustion catching up to him. The adrenaline that had fueled his every move was now ebbing away, leaving behind a profound weariness. The soldiers gathered around him, their expressions a blend of relief and awe.
You’re the new recruit, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Carlos,” a deep voice rumbled behind Averon, drawing Leo’s attention to a massive man with a towering ax strapped to his back. His presence alone was imposing.
As Leo acknowledged Carlos’s greeting, he noticed the others who had gathered around. The group included a diverse array of soldiers, each with their own unique specialties and appearances.
Lisa, an agile woman with an aura of precision, wielded a finely crafted bow. Her keen eyes surveyed their surroundings, ready to provide ranged support.
Then there was Eleonor, an enigmatic figure concealed beneath a cloak of black cloth. Leo couldn’t help but wonder about the secrets hidden beneath her attire as she stood there, twin daggers gleaming with deadly intent.
Bernard, whose name Leo recognized from the battle with the alpha, bore a sword that had tasted the blood of their formidable foe. His battle-hardened demeanor spoke of experience.
Borco and Marco, identical twins with an uncanny resemblance, delved into the mystical arts of magic. Their presence added an element of unpredictability to the group, as they were known for their synchronized spellcasting.
Lastly, a boy who appeared only slightly older than Leo introduced himself as Max. His lean frame and the bow slung over his shoulder hinted at his expertise in archery.
Leo, feeling a mix of excitement and gratitude, introduced himself in turn. The camaraderie of this eclectic group of soldiers filled him with a sense of belonging he hadn’t expected to find so quickly.
As they began the somber task of tending to the wounded and honoring the fallen, Leo couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging. He had proven himself in the crucible of combat, and he had earned the respect of his new comrades.
After hours of arduous labor, Leo finally wiped the sweat from his brow and took a moment to catch his breath. The demanding physical work had left him exhausted, but he felt a sense of accomplishment in seeing the task at hand completed. It was then that Eleonor, who had previously been cloaked in black attire as an assassin should be, made her way towards him.
As she stepped into the light of a nearby lantern, Leo could finally see her clearly. To his surprise, he realized that Eleonor was younger than him, a beautiful young girl with long, lustrous black hair neatly tied up. She greeted him with a casual, “Hi Leo, I came to check on you,” and then simply stood there, observing him in silence for what felt like an eternity.
Leo, still catching his breath and in the process of cleaning a shirt that was stained with blood, found himself a bit taken aback by Eleonor’s sudden presence. Her next words were almost imperious in tone, “I’m kinda bored, Leo. Tell me about yourself.”
Uncomfortable with the prospect of revealing his own past, Leo deflected her inquiry, responding, “I’d rather not talk about me. Could you give me the honor of hearing more about you, Eleonor?”
Intrigued by Leo’s request, Eleonor regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and fascination. She launched into a spirited monologue about herself, her words brimming with enthusiasm seemingly from out of nowhere. “So, my full name is Eleonor Raven. I’m the first daughter of the Raven dukedom. I have two younger brothers and one little sister, not to mention my older brother Max, who you’ve already met. I’ll be turning twelve in half a year, and I’m diligently training to defend myself. Well, that’s almost everything my mind can think of.”
Once Eleonor had finished speaking, she shot Leo a rather pointed glare, as if expecting something in return. Leo, who had little experience with social interactions, met her gaze and replied politely, “Well, thank you for introducing yourself, Eleonor. I’m quite tired, so I’ll be retreating to my hut for the night. I hope we can get along in the future.”
For Eleonor, a girl who had been born and raised with a silver spoon in her mouth, this interaction was a departure from her usual experiences. She had never before encountered someone who treated her with such casual indifference, particularly within the ranks of the army, where both she and her brother Max commanded respect. This encounter with Leo left her with a sense of intrigue and a desire to learn more about the enigmatic young man.
“Could he be a secret son of the king? Is he a high noble from another continent?” Questions started to pop up in the young girl’s head. She left as well.
The night sky stretched above, adorned with a tapestry of stars that seemed to whisper secrets of their own. Leo retired to his humble hut, a space that had become both his sanctuary and his training ground. As he lay on his makeshift bed, thoughts of Eleonor’s unexpected visit lingered in his mind.
The encounter had been unusual, to say the least. He couldn’t help but wonder about the significance of Eleonor’s background. A duke’s daughter, born into privilege, now walking among soldiers in pursuit of combat training. It was a stark contrast to his own upbringing, shrouded in mystery and humble origins.
Yet, Leo had learned not to judge based on appearances alone. In the army, backgrounds and titles held little sway compared to one’s dedication and prowess. He knew that each soldier carried their own story, their own reasons for being there.
As he drifted into the realm of sleep, the image of Eleonor’s inquisitive gaze remained etched in his mind. He couldn’t deny the intrigue he felt toward her, a curiosity born not from her status but from the enigma that seemed to surround her.