Blake's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, desperately trying to decipher the situation. What kind of attack could trigger such widespread tremors? His seasoned instincts whispered that it had to be something extraordinary, perhaps a new weapon or an assault by an overwhelming force.

"Spread out and scour the perimeter! We must uncover the source of this disturbance!" he ordered, his voice unwavering despite the inner turmoil.

His soldiers, sensing the urgency in Blake's voice, split into squads and swiftly dispersed across the area. Blake led the central team, their steps quick but cautious as they navigated the dense forest. Every sound and movement was scrutinized, but the deeper they ventured, the more perplexed they became.

After an exhaustive sweep of the perimeter, Blake and his men regrouped at the center of the camp. Their expressions were a mix of frustration and bewilderment. They had found nothing—no signs of an enemy force or an impending attack.

"Report," Blake demanded, his eyes scanning the faces of his lieutenants.

"Nothing, sir," one of them replied, shaking his head. There were no tracks, no signs of movement. It's like the ground just decided to shake on its own."

Blake's brow furrowed, his mind grappling with the enigma before him. 'This doesn't add up,' he muttered, his hand absentmindedly rubbing his chin. 'Tremors of this magnitude don't just occur without a discernible cause.'

One of his men, a keen-eyed scout named Rylan, stepped forward. "Sir, I think we need to expand our search radius. Whatever caused this might be farther out than we initially thought."

Blake nodded, appreciating the suggestion. "Agreed. Rylan, take a team and head west. I'll take another group east. The rest of you spread out and cover the north and south. Let's find out what the hell is going on."

As they ventured farther from the camp, the landscape began to show signs of recent upheaval. Trees were toppled, their roots exposed, and soil scattered. Small rocks and debris littered the forest floor, evidence of the powerful tremors that had shaken the area.

Blake's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed onward, a sense of urgency driving him forward. He knew that whatever had caused such devastation had to be close by. And then, as they crested a small hill, the source of the disturbance became clear.

In the distance, a mountain lay in ruins, its peak shattered and consumed by a raging inferno. The flames blazed with an otherworldly ferocity, casting a haunting glow across the landscape. The sight was both breathtaking and chilling, a testament to the unimaginable power that had been unleashed.

Blake stared in disbelief, the realization dawning on him that this was no ordinary attack. "What in the name of Aetheria..." he whispered, his voice trailing off as he took in the devastation.

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He turned to his men, determination burning in his eyes. "We need to report this back to command. Whatever did this... we need to be prepared. Let's move!"

As they made their way back to the camp, Blake couldn't shake the feeling that they were facing something far beyond their understanding. The ground continued to tremble beneath them, a constant reminder of the destructive force that had been unleashed. And in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder if they were truly prepared for what lay ahead.

*** *** ***

Blake and his men immediately retreated from the scene of devastation, their instincts screaming at them to put as much distance as possible between themselves and whatever had obliterated the mountain. The air was thick with tension and the acrid smell of burning rock, a grim testament to the raw power that had been unleashed.

Blake's heart pounded as he led his men through the forest at a brisk pace, his mind racing with thoughts of the unknown force that had caused such destruction. The ground beneath them was still warm, radiating the residual heat of the explosion. His boots crunched over charred foliage and splintered wood, each step a reminder of the cataclysmic event they had just witnessed.

His men, seasoned warriors all, were uncharacteristically silent. A somber determination had replaced the usual banter and camaraderie. They moved with a purpose, eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger, their hands never straying far from their weapons.

"Commander Blake," Rylan, the keen-eyed scout, broke the silence, his voice low and urgent. "What do you think could have done this? Not even our most powerful mages can cause such destruction."

Blake shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know, Rylan. But whatever it is, it's beyond anything we've ever encountered. We need to report this to the higher-ups immediately. This kind of power... it could change the course of the war."

As they moved farther from the epicenter, the forest began to regain some semblance of normalcy. The trees stood taller, the foliage denser, but the tension in the air was still palpable. Blake could see the fear in his men's eyes, a reflection of his unease.

They finally reached a clearing and paused to catch their breath. Blake assessed their situation, his sharp eyes scanning the perimeter. He could still feel the residual tremors beneath his feet, a constant reminder of the destruction they had left behind.

"We need to keep moving," he said, his voice firm. "The farther we get from that place, the better. We have no idea what else might be lurking around there."

His men nodded, the fear in their eyes replaced by a steely resolve. They trusted Blake, and his leadership had seen them through countless battles. They would follow him to the ends of the earth if necessary.

As they continued their retreat, Blake's mind raced with questions. What kind of force could obliterate a mountain in such a way? Could it be a new weapon developed by their enemies? Or perhaps something even more sinister, a force of nature or magic that they had yet to understand?

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows through the trees. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife absent, as if even the animals were too afraid to come out. Blake kept his senses alert, every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig putting him on edge.

They finally reached their camp just as darkness fell. The sentries on duty were visibly relieved to see Blake and his men return, though their expressions quickly turned to concern as they noticed the grim looks on the faces of their commanders.

"Commander Blake, what happened out there?" one of the sentries asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Blake took a deep breath, steadying himself before he spoke. "We encountered something... unprecedented. A force of destruction powerful enough to obliterate a mountain. We need to report this to headquarters immediately. Gather the officers and prepare for a potential evacuation. We don't know what we're dealing with yet, but we need to be ready for anything."

The sentry nodded and hurried off to relay the orders. Blake turned to his men, their faces illuminated by the flickering torchlight. "Rest up, everyone. We'll need to be at our best for whatever comes next."

As Blake settled into his tent, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him. The image of the destroyed mountain and the immense power it represented haunted his thoughts. He knew that whatever had caused it was a game-changer, a threat that could tip the balance of the war in ways they had never imagined. And he also knew that they had to be prepared for the worst.