The victory at the outposts rippled across the Highlands like a wildfire. For the first time in weeks, the coalition felt a glimmer of hope. Yet beneath the surface of celebration, tensions simmered. The leaders of the alliance knew that this triumph was only the beginning.
---
A Tenuous Unity
The coalition’s war council convened in a hastily erected tent at the new central base. The atmosphere was heavy with a mixture of relief and unease. Lord Icarus sat stiffly, his sharp features betraying his mistrust of Billy. Lady Soria stood nearby, her arms crossed and her piercing gaze daring anyone to speak against her ally.
Kaelin entered last, his robes smudged with dirt and traces of lingering chaos energy. “The disruption worked better than anticipated. The Shadowborn constructs couldn’t stabilize themselves against the surge.”
“Temporary success,” Icarus muttered, his tone acidic. “The Shadow Lords won’t be caught off guard again.”
Billy leaned against the map table, his form still weary from the battle. “They’re testing us, probing our defenses. This was a battle, not the war. The Shadow Lords are regrouping, and they’ll come at us harder next time.”
Icarus scoffed. “And what of the man standing beside you?” He pointed at Dorian, who stood silently at the edge of the room. “How do we know he didn’t lead us into a trap? A single victory doesn’t absolve him of his past.”
Dorian met Icarus’s gaze, his voice calm but firm. “If I wanted to kill you, you’d be dead. The Shadow Lords don’t waste time with deceit when brute force will suffice. If you’re looking for someone to blame for their success, blame your own incompetence.”
The room fell silent, the insult hanging in the air like a sword. Billy intervened before the argument could escalate. “Enough. We can’t afford to turn on each other. If you have doubts, fine—but keep them to yourself until we’re not staring down an existential threat.”
Kaelin placed a hand on the table, his voice cutting through the tension. “We need to focus on what’s next. The Highlands may be secure for now, but the Shadow Lords’ strategy is becoming clearer. They’re not just after chaos energy—they’re after domination.”
---
A Growing Threat
That evening, Billy stood on the cliffs overlooking the camp. The distant sounds of soldiers training and the crackling of fires filled the air, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The Shadowborn General’s words echoed in his mind. The Shadow Lords will try to turn you—or destroy you.
Soria joined him, her expression softening as she approached. “You’ve been quiet since the battle.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Just thinking,” Billy replied, his voice low. “The Shadow Lords aren’t just enemies. They’re organized, calculated. Every move we make, they’re already two steps ahead. And then there’s the power they wield—it’s… familiar.”
Soria raised an eyebrow. “Familiar how?”
Billy hesitated, the chaos energy within him pulsing faintly. “I don’t know yet. But it’s like they’re connected to the same force I draw from. If that’s true…”
“Then they’ll never stop until they have you,” Soria finished.
Billy nodded. “We need more than soldiers and strategies. We need answers.”
---
Secrets of the Past
Dorian approached later that night, carrying an old, tattered book. He placed it on the table in Billy’s tent, his expression unreadable.
“This might help,” Dorian said, his voice subdued.
Billy eyed the book suspiciously. “What is it?”
“A chronicle from the time before the Shadow Lords came into power,” Dorian explained. “It talks about their origins, their strengths—and their weaknesses.”
Billy opened the book, the faded pages revealing intricate diagrams and cryptic writings. One passage caught his attention: Chaos energy is the bridge between worlds, a force both creation and destruction. Only those who master its duality can break free from its corruption.
“What does this mean?” Billy asked, his brow furrowed.
Dorian crossed his arms. “It means the chaos energy you wield is a double-edged sword. It can either consume you or set you free. The Shadow Lords chose to let it consume them.”
Billy clenched his fists. “Then I’ll have to find a way to master it.”
Dorian smirked faintly. “Good luck. No one’s ever done it before.”
---
The Shadow’s Move
The coalition’s brief reprieve ended abruptly when scouts returned with grim news. Shadow Lord forces had begun massing near the eastern border, their numbers far exceeding anything seen before.
“They’re testing our resolve,” Kaelin said during the emergency council meeting. “If they break through the eastern front, the rest of the Highlands will fall.”
Lady Soria slammed her fist on the table. “Then we hold the line. No matter the cost.”
Icarus glared at her. “Easy for you to say when your troops aren’t the ones on the front lines.”
Soria shot back, “Your men are just as capable as mine. Or do you doubt their strength as much as you doubt Lord Knight’s?”
Before the argument could escalate further, Billy raised a hand. “Enough. We’ll meet them at the border. If they want a fight, we’ll give them one they won’t forget.”
---
Preparing for War
The camp buzzed with activity as the coalition prepared for the battle ahead. Soldiers sharpened their weapons, mages practiced their incantations, and medics stocked supplies. Billy moved through the ranks, offering words of encouragement where he could.
Kaelin approached him, a determined look in his eyes. “I’ve been working on something to amplify our disruption spells. If it works, it could turn the tide.”
“Good,” Billy said, clapping Kaelin on the shoulder. “We’ll need every advantage we can get.”
Nearby, Soria supervised the cavalry, her voice sharp and commanding. “We ride at dawn. Stay sharp and stay together. The Shadow Lords won’t show mercy, and neither will we.”
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A Whisper in the Dark
As Billy prepared for the upcoming battle, a faint whisper echoed in his mind. The voice was cold, otherworldly. You can’t win, Billy Knight. Join us, and you’ll have the power to save them all.
Billy’s hands tightened into fists, chaos energy sparking around him. “Get out of my head.”
The voice chuckled. You’ll see, soon enough. The more you fight, the closer you come to becoming one of us.
Billy shook his head, forcing the voice away. He stepped out of his tent, his resolve hardening. Whatever the Shadow Lords had planned, he wouldn’t falter.
---
End of Chapter 31