Seraphina Stormblade and her band of adventurers were journeying toward Bilgrad, having just completed a recent assignment and looking forward to collecting their payment. It had been a straightforward mission with little challenge, but such was the way of life for adventurers. A large pack of wyverns had been plaguing travelers on the road to Arlinon, and they had been tasked with dealing with the menace.

Seraphina would have preferred exploring dungeons or uncovering ancient ruins, but the "Band of the Silver Dawn" went where they were most needed.

Their group consisted of ten members, including Seraphina herself. It was a diverse assembly, which was unusual for the area. Most groups had only one or maybe two non-humans, but they had the distinction of having two humans among their ranks of ten.

Seraphina herself was not human. She belonged to the high elf race, though that term was primarily used by non-elves. Among elves, there was no distinction, although there were different elven cultures. She had been raised in Arnorin, the capital of the elven empire, located on a different continent. She had come to Pantia seeking adventure and to gain experience with other cultures and races. Now, she found herself as the captain of her own successful group.

As they trotted along on their horses, Allinda, one of the two elven scouts, called out that someone was approaching. Instinctively, hands reached for weapons, but Seraphina signaled for them to stand down and turned her horse around. A figure was galloping down the road toward them, gradually slowing as they neared.

It was a young soldier, clad in the customary scout armor with the Bilgrad crest adorning his chest. He appeared exhausted, and his steaming horse revealed the intensity of his ride through the cool morning air. He tried to speak but ended up coughing until Alec, Seraphina's second-in-command, handed him a waterskin.

Taking it gratefully, he nodded and took a drink before speaking in a raspy voice, "You... You're adventurers, right?"

Alec nodded in confirmation. "Indeed, we are. What do you need, soldier?"

Clearing his throat, the young man looked earnestly at Alec. "We need help. A large group of goblins is gathering to attack Dervin's Rest."

Alec scoffed, "Goblins? They're nothing more than pests at worst."

The soldier scowled, "500 goblins are not a mere nuisance. It's a bloody army!"

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, surprised by the unprecedented number in this region. Urging her horse forward, Alec stepped aside, allowing her to address the soldier directly. "Are you absolutely certain about this, soldier?"

The young soldier nodded firmly. "Yes, Captain Calandra sent me to seek aid, although the chances of reinforcements arriving in time are slim."

Seraphina smiled, recognizing the name. "Calandra? I know her. She's a skilled warrior. If she's calling for help..." She glanced at her weary companions and shrugged. "We will go, but we expect appropriate compensation afterward."

Relief washed over the soldier's face. "Of course, double the standard rate if you arrive in time to assist the village. If not, you're welcome to eradicate those little demons."

Alec grinned at the prospect, and murmurs of excitement arose from the rest of the group. However, Seraphina maintained her composure as the captain. "Agreed. Alec, we're heading to Dervin's Rest. Ensure everyone is prepared for a battle. While goblins may be individually weak, a group of 500 poses a significant threat, and we shall not underestimate them."

Alec nodded, his grin unwavering. He issued a few quick commands, and soon the group turned around, their course redirected toward the mountains.

--

Ethan stood near the hastily erected barricade, his gaze fixed on the looming forest in the distance. Calandra stood beside him, flanked by her soldiers, while a sizable group of hunters armed with strung bows waited behind them. Further back, approximately 50 men and women armed with spears formed another line of defense.

Calandra's brow furrowed, and she spoke in a low voice to Ethan, "I pray that this plan works..."

Ethan nodded vigorously, his agreement underscored by concern. "Are the rest of the villagers safe?"

Calandra nodded in response. "They have all taken refuge in the barracks. We've set up an additional barricade there. We can fall back if necessary, although I hope it won't come to that..."

She left the rest unsaid, but Ethan knew what she meant. The latest report Calandra had received was grim. It wasn't just 500 goblins; there were closer to a thousand of the wretched creatures. No one knew how such a large horde had assembled, but it was too late to turn back now—they were already here.

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The sound of their numerous footsteps, though small individually, created a cacophony. Battle cries echoed from the forest, followed by the blare of horns and sinister laughter. Ethan's eyes widened as he watched the first goblins emerge, soon followed by a seemingly endless wave of them.

Ethan swallowed hard and tightened his grip on his spear. He had no intention of actively engaging in the fight, but he held the spear as a precaution. He carried three crystals in his pocket, while Calandra held two, and a few others were distributed among the soldiers.

He had etched the arcing spark rune onto his spear, though his energy reserves were dwindling. He had enough for a few activations, but he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

The goblins approached at a jog, gradually picking up speed until they were sprinting toward the defenders. Once the lead goblins reached the open fields, Calandra barked a command. Flaming arrows arched overhead, descending upon the oil-soaked ground and setting it ablaze.

The goblins caught in the inferno screamed in terror and pain, eliciting triumphant cheers from the hunters. The main group of goblins hesitated momentarily, but soon spotted the path left open for them—leading directly to where Ethan stood.

A shrill horn blast pierced the air, and hundreds of goblins charged forward. Ethan's hands trembled, whether from his own nerves or the ground trembling beneath him, he couldn't tell. Calandra raised her hand, and the sound of bows being drawn reverberated. With a swift downward motion, she unleashed a barrage of arrows upon the approaching goblins.

Screams filled the air, yet the goblin horde pressed on undeterred. Another volley of arrows rained down, then another, but their numbers seemed scarcely diminished.

Arrows began to fly in the opposite direction, causing Ethan to crouch down behind the barricade. Cries of pain erupted from their own ranks, but he tried to block them out.

The first goblins reached the barricade, attempting to scale it. The soldiers impaled them on their spears, turning the barricade into a narrow chokepoint. Clad in full plate armor, Calandra glanced down at Ethan. She nodded, and he took a deep breath. Gripping the first crystal tightly, he lobbed it as far as he could over the barricade.

A tense moment followed as they waited, then all the soldiers dropped down, seeking cover. A mighty explosion rocked the barricade. For a brief moment, silence fell, until the screams and the intensity of the assault on the barricade resumed. The soldiers rose to their feet, but a few goblins managed to breach the obstruction.

The intruders were swiftly dispatched by arrows, prompting Calandra to issue another command. She hurled her own crystal, and they all took cover once again. Another explosion reverberated through the barricade, and Ethan began to worry if it would hold

Ethan risked a quick peek from his hiding spot, disheartened by the sight. There were still countless goblins advancing relentlessly.

The sounds of battle were deafening, with more goblins surging over the barricade. It became increasingly challenging for the soldiers to hold their ground. Ethan saw a young soldier fall, stabbed in the neck, while another took an arrow to the shoulder. More crystals were thrown over the barricade, triggering more explosions. Ethan himself was left with only one crystal.

Suddenly, Calandra cursed aloud. "Damn it... The fire is dying down."

Ethan's blood ran cold as he peered over the barrier, locking eyes with a menacing goblin. Startled, he let out a yelp and stumbled backward, causing the goblin to lunge after him. Acting on instinct, Ethan thrust his short spear in front of him and yelled, "Activate!"

The goblin was instantly electrocuted, taking a few more of its kind down with it. Calandra swiftly joined the fray, her sword cutting through the next wave of goblins. Extending a hand, she pulled Ethan to his feet, wearing a grim smile. "You had another trick up your sleeve, huh?"

Ethan stammered, "I... I only have enough energy for a few more activations."

Calandra nodded urgently. "Fall back, Ethan. We need to retreat. The goblins have realized the fire is dying out, and they'll soon flank us. Back to the barracks!"

Her words echoed as a shout, prompting the hunters to sprint for their lives. Calandra gave Ethan a push to get him moving, and the soldiers followed suit.

As Ethan ran, he glanced back and witnessed goblins pouring over the barrier. He pushed himself to run even faster. Arrows whizzed past his head, and in a desperate act uncommon for him, he prayed. He prayed to any deity out there, begging for deliverance from this hellish situation he found himself in.

The goblins unleashed furious screams, their war cries filled with a terrifying promise of pain and death. A soldier fell, writhing in agony, causing Calandra to halt. Ethan knew he should keep running, but when he saw Calandra rushing back to the fallen comrade, an inexplicable force halted his legs.

He turned around, clutching the last of his crystals, and muttered to himself, "Dammit, Ethan. What the hell are you doing?" Despite his inner protest, he charged toward the oncoming wave of goblins. Calandra now had the injured soldier on her shoulder, sword in hand. She began to sprint but soon realized the futility of their situation. That's when Ethan reached her.

Shouting at the top of his lungs, he yelled, "Get down!"

The crystal soared over Calandra's head, and her eyes widened. She dropped to the ground, shielding the wounded soldier with her body. Ethan barely managed to throw himself flat, moments before a massive explosion erupted just 15 meters away.

The shockwave demolished the houses lining the street, sending Ethan tumbling through the air. His ears rang, his body ached, but he fought to regain his senses. A man roughly pulled him to his feet, another soldier shouting something urgently. Ethan's head was still foggy, and the soldier seemed to realize it. He hoisted Ethan over his shoulder, and they were off once again.

As he was carried away from the destruction, Ethan's mind gradually cleared. Finally snapping out of his daze, he found himself back at the barracks, surrounded by anxious faces. Calandra was barking orders at a group of men, while the few remaining soldiers guided people into a line. Ethan struggled to his feet, realizing he still clutched his spear.

He stumbled toward the line of men, but a hand rested on his shoulder—a large, calloused hand. Looking up, he saw Lork standing beside him. "You've done enough, lad. It's our turn now."