“Etes has fallen. I can’t see all of the details but Allain has an army in the city as well. The people were overrun, I saw a line of survivors fleeing the city moving towards the Eternal Forest.” The Seer said.

“Ah. That is terrible news. We must let Commander Lucien know.” Riadh said while shaking his head slowly.

“Did you see Sylar?” Omrock asked the Seer.

“I have never been able to see Sylar, the framework hides the top ten from being Seen. You know that and you continue to ask Omrock, I must answer the same way every time.” The Seer replied.

“I apologize my friend. I cannot shake the feeling that he is the key to everything. My dreams...best not to discuss where others can listen.” Omrock replied.

“How many survived” Riadh asked, looking towards the Seer.

The Seer hesitated before answering, “two in ten.”

“We ride to the Eternal Forest! The fate of man on the continent of Erastis will be decided under the great trees.” Omrock stated with a booming voice.

All across the camp the men and women of Aiath began to pack and saddle the massive desert scorpions they used as mounts. Spellweavers and sandswords went through their final preparations, oiling weapons and checking over supplies. Alchemist furiously brought pots to a boil and the camp was covered in a barrage of scents.

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“Hold! Men of Arrya! Women of Arrya! Desti reinforcements are only a day away! We cannot lose another border fort to these foul creatures! ” Commander Lucien shouted with all of his might, using his Command skill to bolster his troops.

Defeat after defeat had forced the combined Arryan and Desi troops back farther and farther towards the Shurin Mountains. If they allowed themselves to get trapped with that fearsome mountain range to their backs, they would be lambs to be slaughtered. Lucien used his level 50 class spell to summon a golden shield over his soldiers that blocked the next three attacks for each soldier. It took almost his entire mana pool but it gave his soldiers the edge needed to clear the wall.

“Sir! Sir!” A messenger ran up to Commander Lucien.

“Report.” Commander Lucien replied.

“Message from Omrock sir! Etes has fallen, the survivors retreat to the Eternal Forest with a horde of the damned on their heels. The Aaith are marching towards the last known base of Sylar Til to reinforce the survivors of Etes.” The messenger finished relaying the message and saluted, waiting to be dismissed.

“Dismissed soldier. Bring lefty to me.” Commander Lucien ordered.

“So this is how it ends, three once proud nations beaten by one madman. I hope you know what you're doing Omrock. If you're wrong about this...” Commander Lucien mumbled to himself as he surveyed the battle and walked towards the Shining Lieutenant.

“Sir!” The Shining Lieutenant, or to his friends, lefty saluted.

“Sound the retreat lefty, our fate now lies in the Eternal Forest. May the Eternal show us his blessing. Send the injured first with the freshest group to carve a path. We make for the old trade road.” Commander Lucien leaned against the railing and grieved for his soldiers and his nation.