The relentless patter of rain drummed against Azure's ears, tension brewing in his chest. He squinted into the murky darkness, the world before him obscured by sheets of rain and swirling mud. A man to his left, sporting a peppered black beard that contrasted sharply with his weathered skin, broke the silence. "How will we approach?" he asked, his voice barely rising above the storm.
Azure instinctively raised his hand, his pulse quickening as he scanned the treacherous landscape below. The cliff loomed over a valley where their enemies lay scattered like discarded toys, oblivious to the storm gathering around them. Rain cascaded down his face, mingling with the sweat from his brow, and his long hair clung stubbornly to his skin. With a swift motion, he pushed it back beneath the rim of his helm, his determination crystallizing.
"I'll lead the charge," Azure declared, his tone firm and resolute as if the decision were obvious.
The man to Azure's right, a battle-hardened veteran clad in dark leather armor, shifted uneasily in his saddle. "With the terrain on our side, we're in the perfect position to ambush from far below," he said, a note of skepticism threading through his voice. Azure felt the weight of expectation resting heavily on his shoulders, but he wouldn't allow doubt to creep in.
In an instinctive gesture, he tucked a loose strand of hair back into his helm, an act of defiance against the frustration clawing at him.
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"I'm not my father, Sir Goren," Azure continued, his voice rising above the cacophony of rain and thunder. "I won't wait for the perfect moment. We've trained too long for that. Every second we hesitate gives the abominations a chance to corrupt. We'll strike now, while they're still just formed."
Sir Goren's eyes narrowed, a mixture of concern and respect flickering across his face. "You may be right, Azure, but we can't afford to be reckless. Your father-"
"Isn't here!" Azure snapped, the frustration boiling over. He took a deep breath, reining in his temper. "I know what he taught us about strategy, but this is different. This is our chance and we can't let it go."
The other soldiers exchanged glances, their uncertainty palpable in the torrential downpour. Azure's heart raced as he looked down at the enemy below. Flickering eyes illuminated the crude tent like structures made from decayed branches scattered with without even the thought to organize, their movements slow and careless, unaware of the storm that was about to descend upon them.
"Listen up!" Azure called, projecting his voice to carry over the sound of the rain. "Follow my lead, fight for your home like true heroes!"
A murmur of agreement rippled through the ranks, bolstered by the fire igniting within Azure. As he steeled himself for the descent, adrenaline coursing through his veins, he glanced at Sir Goren. The man's expression softened slightly, a reluctant acknowledgment of Azure's determination.
"All right, lad," Sir Goren relented, nodding. "We'll follow you." Sir Goren eye lashes fluttered from rain droplets that played on top his eyelids "remember this isn't about you." He spoke only loud enough for azure to hear over the storm.
Azure nodded, the weight of responsibility pressing against his chest, but it only fueled his resolve. He turned his gaze back to the abominations, squinting through the sheets of rain. A plan began to crystallize in his mind, a whirlwind of strategies and contingencies.
"On my mark," Azure instructed, raising a hand as the storm raged around them. He felt the energy of his fellow soldiers building, the atmosphere crackling with tension and anticipation. "We charge on three."
As he counted down, he felt a surge of power through the blood thrumming through him, a reminder of the shine within. He was not merely Azure, he was a spark king's son; he was a born leader, a warrior ready to carve his destiny at last.
"One... two... three!"