As the battle unfolded, Aurelius, now in his monstrous form, relentlessly hammered at the magical barrier. Nearby, Lilithra Gyovani descended gracefully from her broom, clutching her arcane artefacts, a flying book hovering beside her.

Seizing the opportunity amidst the chaos, Commander Kyj roared, "ENGAGE!"

The elite forces surged toward the witches. Lysandra, commanding her coven, shouted, "Summon the creatures and our sisters! We need every bit of help against this whore!"

One witch conjured a radiant bird with a swift incantation, but as it took form, another witch quickly struck it down with a dagger. Turning to Lysandra, she explained, "Sister, they'll come when they sense the bird's death."

Meanwhile, Lilithra remained composed, a serene smile on her face as she approached the barrier. She watched Aurelius continue his assault, while Aurola and her remaining soldiers struggled to restrain him with thick chains, keeping him away from the barrier.

Upon reaching the barrier, Lilithra observed its attempt to absorb her magic. Her lips curved into a confident smile. "Do your best," she said coolly, "but I am one who takes without giving. Isn't that the essence of a true witch?"

The barrier’s defences activated, releasing bolts of lightning and torrents of fire. But Lilithra, unfazed, called upon the power of her ancient book, speaking the words, "Ancient magic: lənətlənmiş duman."

A thick, dark fog emerged, enveloping the barrier. The soldiers within grew uneasy, but Aurola quickly recognized the truth. "She's a GYOVANI!" she cried. "We're free, lads!"

The barrier continued to strike at the fog, but with each blow, the mist only grew denser. Lilithra sneered, "You are but an enchantment. If your strength lies in absorption, we shall offer something greater in this little game of yours."

After a tense moment, the barrier’s radiant glow began to fade. Sensing the weakening magic, Lysandra decapitated a soldier, her eyes burning with fury. "That WHORE!" she spat. "I'll roast her alive!"

As the barrier's light dimmed, Aurelius, with mangled and bloodied hands, steadied himself and unleashed a powerful blow that shattered the barrier into shards. The inky fog spread rapidly, engulfing the castle and its surroundings.

With the barrier destroyed, Aurelius let out a thunderous roar, "WITCH!!!!"

Aurola, steadfast, commanded her troops, "Aid our comrades and advance cautiously into that fog! Leave Lord Aurelius!"

Once freed from the chains, Aurelius surged forward, cutting through the dense fog with unnatural speed until the shadowy outline of a towering witch came into view. A triumphant grin spread across his face. "I've got you!" he bellowed.

Charging toward the figure, he came to an abrupt stop upon realizing it was Lilithra, standing serenely. She looked at him with a cold, distant gaze. "Little brother, as ruthless and fierce as always," she said, her tone a mixture of disappointment and anger. "But I want my brother, not this wretched abomination."

As she spoke, the black mist began to absorb Aurelius’s monstrous form, and slowly, his familiar, handsome self emerged, gasping for breath. With a weary smile, he murmured, "Thank you. I had lost control."

Lilithra's response was a mix of frustration and sternness. "We agreed never to use that spell. What’s the point of a transformation that turns you into something even we can't control?"

Aurelius remained silent, while Lilithra continued, "First, we deal with the witches. Then, we’ll have a serious talk about your powers."

Aurelius nodded in agreement. Lilithra, her eyes narrowing at the fog, added irritably, "This fog is a nuisance!" With a swift motion, she summoned a gust of wind, dispersing the mist. But as the fog lifted, it revealed Lysandra hovering above them, a wicked grin on her face as she chanted an incantation, summoning a bolt of black lightning aimed straight at Lilithra.

Lilithra swiftly raised a crimson shield, and the clash between the dark lightning and her scarlet defence sent a cloud of dust swirling into the air.

Aurelius scanned the scene, his voice cautious. "Sister, she's dangerous. Be careful."

Lilithra nodded, her expression resolute. "Be my shield, brother, and I will be your sword."

Without hesitation, Aurelius positioned himself in front of Lilithra, sword drawn, ready for whatever sinister magic Lysandra would hurl their way.

In an instant, a massive wave of flames surged toward Aurelius. He raised his hand and shouted, "Wind magic: kəsici!"

A sharp gust of wind materialized, slicing through the flames like sacred swords. As the flames dispersed, Aurelius eyed the lingering dust-laden fog, quickly discerning that it was no natural phenomenon. Lilithra, observing alongside him, remarked, "It's a spell, not mere mist. Let's proceed cautiously."

Aurelius nodded and moved forward with deliberate steps, while Lilithra followed closely, ready to strike down any witches that dared to emerge from the haze.

Meanwhile, Commander Kyj, after dispatching another witch, pivoted and barked orders, "Someone dispel this fog!"

Suddenly, a dagger pierced his back. Unflinching, Commander Kyj swiftly turned and caught Lysandra in his grip. She sneered, "Is that all you've got?"

In a flash, Lysandra severed his hand. Though pain coursed through him, Commander Kyj pressed on, driving his blade into Lysandra’s abdomen.

Lysandra gasped, crumpling to the ground, clutching her wound. Commander Kyj, barely able to stand, prepared to end the fight, but an arrow struck him in the neck.

He collapsed, grasping at the wound. Lysandra, still reeling, met eyes with a witch armed with a bow and whispered, "Thank you."

Seeing their commander fall, the special forces hesitated for a moment before Aurola rallied them, her voice ringing out, "For Commander Kyj! For the kingdom!"

A resounding battle cry followed as the forces surged forward, clashing once more with the witches, who unleashed their monstrous allies in retaliation.

Amidst the swirling dust and fog, Aurelius turned to Lilithra. "Sister, can you dispel this cursed spell?"

Lilithra grinned knowingly. "The source of this enchantment lies in a mystical creature—perhaps a rabbit or a beast resembling one. But I'm not interested in playing along."

"Why not?" Aurelius asked, frowning. "Do you want us to stay trapped here?"

Lilithra chuckled softly, her tone relaxed. "Brother, I’ve already turned her own mist against her. I know exactly where we’re going and when we’ll arrive. What I want is for you to leap towards our objective with your blade. Isn't it ironic? That your only guide through this mess is your clever sister?" She smirked, clearly amused by the situation.

Aurelius grinned, tightening his grip on his sword as he followed Lilithra into the thick obscurity. After a while, she stopped abruptly and declared, "Brother, the mist ends here."

Aurelius halted, confused. "I don't see or hear anything! How can you be so sure?"

Lilithra’s smile widened. "I see beyond the enchantments. Every spell merely manipulates magic to create illusions that reflect our desires or needs. Lysandra’s mist is nothing more than dust enchanted to confuse. But I can see her clearly, and she's too distracted to notice us—thanks to my spell, which I’ve already cast to hide us."

Aurelius paused, contemplating. "When did you cast it?"

Lilithra didn’t respond directly, only gave him a sly look as she gestured ahead. "The lead witch is just a few paces away. After her, there will be more, but victory is ours."

With muscles tensed, Aurelius leapt out of the fog. In an instant, he closed the distance to the witch who turned just as his blade severed her head. A magical bear by her side froze in shock at its master’s sudden death. Without hesitation, Aurelius plunged his sword into the beast’s skull.

Elsewhere in the battle, Lysandra drove her blade into a soldier’s chest, but it failed to be a fatal blow. Before she could strike again, Aurola intervened, summoning a blazing wall of fire to create a barrier between Lysandra and the soldier. Aurola quickly turned to assist the wounded, helping him retreat with her hand pressed against his wound.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Lysandra’s sharp eyes caught sight of Aurelius emerging from the fog, though Lilithra remained concealed within it. She sneered, "Where did that witch scuttle off to?"

As the remaining soldiers fell back, struggling to defend against the witches, the battlefield became a bloodied mess, with bodies piling up on both sides. The confusion grew among the witches as they noticed the soldiers retreating, unsure of the strategy. One witch, alarmed, shouted to Lysandra, "Sister, look!"

Lysandra turned and saw Aurelius standing still, watching her intently. A cold realization struck her. "RUN! RUN, SISTERS!"

The witches, bewildered but trusting her command, scattered in different directions toward the woods. Lysandra herself bolted, desperate to escape, but her path was abruptly cut off by Commander Kyj. His bloodied hands gripped her tightly, his face twisted into a menacing grin.

Lysandra summoned her remaining strength and thrust her dagger into his abdomen, but the commander’s grip didn’t loosen. Suddenly, a surge of blue and black flames erupted from the depths of the fog, crackling with dark energy, and casting an ominous glow across the battlefield.

Lysandra stared wide-eyed at the towering spell before her, overwhelmed by its sheer magnitude. Emerging from the mist, Lilithra stood calmly, holding her hat as she invoked, "Ancient magic: Garno alovları."

The colossal flames surged toward Lysandra, but even as she relentlessly stabbed at Commander Kyj, her efforts were in vain.

As the inferno loomed ever closer, Commander Kyj's smile broadened with grim satisfaction. "I die for my people. Remember my name, witch—Commander Kyj."

Desperate, Lysandra attempted to summon a holy shield, but it was obliterated instantly by the oncoming firestorm.

Her agonized screams echoed through the battlefield as the flames consumed her, their heat unstoppable. Even the witches who had managed to flee found no sanctuary. The merciless flames hunted them down, engulfing monstrous creatures and scorching the very earth beneath their feet. Lilithra’s devastating magic spared nothing in its path.

Aurelius watched in awe, his breath catching at the spell's immense destructive power. Lilithra, her voice soft but resolute, murmured, "Requiescat in pace, Commander Kyj."

With Lysandra’s death, the arcane fog that had clouded the battlefield dissipated, its caster — a magical creature bound to Lysandra — destroyed alongside her.

Lilithra’s hand began to glow, and she invoked another spell with a commanding voice, "Devilish magic: udma."

The flames, fierce and uncontrolled, converged towards Lilithra, drawn into her spell until the battlefield was left clear. What remained were fallen witches, soldiers, and demons—evidence of the brutal battle that had unfolded. Among the dead were Lysandra and Commander Kyj, their bodies are charred.

The surviving soldiers, moved by their commander’s sacrifice, stood in reverent silence. Aurola’s voice rang out, filled with sorrow and pride, "Requiescat in pace, Commander Kyj!"

Aurelius, his tone heavy with respect, echoed, "Requiescat in pace, Commander Kyj."

The special forces, solemn in their tribute, began the sombre task of gathering their fallen comrades and carrying them back toward a nearby camp.

As Aurola approached Lilithra, she bowed deeply, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Lady Lilithra, for your invaluable assistance in this battle, and for restraining Lord Aurelius."

Turning to Aurelius, her tone remained respectful yet firm. "I bear no disrespect, Lord Aurelius."

Aurelius paused, then nodded in acknowledgement. "I count myself fortunate that you chose not to end my life. I offer my sincerest apologies, Commander Aurola."

Aurola accepted with a formal nod. "Apology acknowledged, Lord Aurelius."

Aurelius shifted the conversation. "What is our next course of action?"

Lilithra, after a brief moment of thought, turned to Aurola. "Commander Aurola is our strategist. We follow your lead."

Aurola responded with military precision. "Our top priority is to protect our people, followed closely by securing the queen. The besieged cities require our defence, and we must neutralize the enemies. Currently, the queen is in the western castle, with Yoranios Gyovani and General Kerifan aiding her defence. The eastern castle has been destroyed, but scouts confirmed that Kunvy and Jasmine are alive, tending to the wounded. Nearf breached the northern castle's barrier, and Captain Thal has assured us they’re holding off the monsters and witches."

Lilithra's gaze sharpened as she asked, "What are your orders, Commander Aurola?"

Aurola, fully aware of the weight of leadership, paused before making a decisive call. "Lord Aurelius, the city requires your strength and that of any capable fighters. Lady Lilithra, your mission is to dismantle the eastern castle's barrier and free the twins. I will accompany you. Nearf and Yoranios must fend for themselves for now. Our focus is protecting those who cannot defend themselves."

With a whistle, Lilithra summoned her broom, which quickly appeared at her side. Mounting it, she glanced down at Aurola. "I will use teleportation magic. Be ready."

Aurola nodded firmly. Lilithra then turned to Aurelius. "Brother, our people are counting on you. Stand by their side."

Aurelius gave a solemn nod before turning his gaze towards the city, preparing to lead the defence. As Aurola positioned herself beside Lilithra, she heard Lilithra chant, "To the eastern castle."

Meanwhile, at the northern castle, Nearf stood on edge, prepared to strike down any foe that dared cross his path. General Gij's commanding voice rang out across the battlefield. "Sorcerers! Initiate the teleportation spell!"

The air buzzed with magic as the sorcerers complied, chanting their incantations. In a flash, General Gij's eyes widened at the sight before him—a brutal melee between soldiers and monstrous beasts. His attention quickly shifted to the western castle, its barrier standing firm.

"Lord Nearf!" Gij ordered, his voice urgent. "Tear down that barrier immediately!"

With steely determination, Nearf set his sights on the obstacle, knowing it was the last thing standing between him and his sister, Jane. Charging ahead with renewed purpose, he surged forward, intent on reuniting with his family.

Monsters loomed from the shadows, but General Gij swiftly cut them down, clearing a path for Nearf. Undeterred, Nearf pressed on, his speed and resolve unyielding as he approached the barrier.

As Nearf closed in on the barrier, time itself seemed to slow, the world falling into silence. In that instant, he was transported to a memory of Jane as a young girl, no more than seven. They strolled through the northern castle's garden, her small hand gripping his as she eagerly picked flowers. With a sincerity only a child could possess, she spoke, "Brother, if you or any of our siblings ever need anything, let me know. We must always be there for each other. And remember, Mother has a new baby—his name is Aurelius. Isn't it a beautiful name?"

Warmth filled Nearf’s heart as he nodded, his joy mirrored in his sister's smile. Returning to the present, he now faced the towering barrier, resolve surging through him. Without hesitation, he launched himself at it with incredible speed, his head slamming into the barrier with a resounding crack.

The barrier shuddered under his attack. Gripping its edges, he pulled back and struck again, his blood spattering in the air. A fissure began to snake its way across the surface of the magical wall.

A sinister grin spread across Nearf's face as he braced for a final blow. This time, however, the force of his assault came at a cost. His skull fractured, and with a thunderous impact, he collapsed to the ground, his body limp. But the barrier shattered in his wake, splintering like fragile glass.

Olwyn, standing nearby, looked on in disbelief. His gaze fixed on the obsidian pole where Jane and Reyanna had disappeared, swallowed by dark, clawed hands.

On the opposite side, Mahin carved a lion in two with a single, fluid motion. Catching sight of the barrier crumbling, he let out a triumphant cry. "Finally! Now, the real battle begins!"

With unrelenting courage, Mahin charged toward the chaos, slicing through waves of monstrous foes. His battle cry rang out, "COME ON, BOYS! LET'S PLAY!" As he pressed forward, a massive crocodile clamped its jaws around his leg. But Mahin, undeterred, grinned at the creature. "That’s all you've got?"

With a swift movement, he raised his leg and crushed the crocodile's skull beneath his foot. As more beasts descended upon him, Mahin twirled his blade in anticipation.

Despite the soldiers' resilience against the witches and their monstrous allies, the toll of battle was mounting, and more lives were lost. But in that moment, as Mahin faced the oncoming horde with a fearless roar, hope stirred once more.

As Mahin battled alongside Yoranios, the two brothers moved in sync, cutting down wave after wave of monstrous foes. Suddenly, a magical wolf lunged at Mahin, but before its claws could reach him, Yoranios intervened, impaling the beast through its spine and swiftly decapitating it.

Mahin rested his sword casually on his shoulder, casting a glance at his brother. "Yoranios, you didn’t need to step in. I’m strong enough to handle this."

Yoranios, breathing heavily, regained his composure before replying, "That strength didn’t stop the witches from destroying our castle or slaughtering our people, Mahin."

Mahin’s serene smile never faltered as he responded, "That’s war. Some die, others live. There's no point in dwelling on what’s already lost."

Yoranios met his gaze with a harder look. "Save the philosophy for later. We’re still fighting."

Mahin’s grin widened. "Good to have you back, brother."

Side by side, they fought on, their movements as one. Behind them, General Kerifan led the soldiers, determined to protect the kingdom at any cost. The battle raged on, the kingdom’s defenders making their stand against the onslaught.

Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, Erykah and her silent companion stood amidst the bodies of fallen witches, both exhausted and drenched in blood. Erykah panted heavily. "We... killed them all... so why are the monsters... still attacking?"

Her partner, stoic as ever, wiped the blood from his blade. "The witches were only part of it. There must be another faction—likely outside the kingdom, summoning these monsters through teleportation magic. They’ve been planning this for a long time."

Erykah nodded in grim understanding. "We need to defeat Reyanna and force her people to surrender. That’s the only way to break these spells."

With a final glance at the forest, the two began their sprint back toward the battlefield, where the fight for survival continued.

Near the shattered barrier, General Gij fought valiantly to protect Nearf’s unconscious body from the encroaching monsters. Blood and sweat mingled on his brow as he swung his blade with lethal precision. At the same time, Nearf’s eyes flickered open, his blurred vision settling on the spot where Jane and Reyanna had been dragged into the earth.

The sounds of battle grew distant in his ears, replaced by a cacophony of grief and loss that filled his soul. His eyes brimmed with tears—tears for the fallen, the widows, the orphans, and the men who had lost everything dear to them.

Overcome with emotion, Nearf’s body trembled, and he unleashed a primal cry, his voice filled with the depth of his pain: "JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!"

The ground beneath the shattered barrier shook violently, and the dark pit cracked open in response. Olwyn, sensing the disturbance, approached cautiously, his sword at the ready. As the fissure widened, something stirred from within.

An eye appeared—Jane’s eye, furious and alight with power. Her veins pulsed with dark energy as she fought against the forces pulling her into the abyss. Her gaze was fierce, defiant, and filled with the unyielding spirit of a warrior who would never surrender.

She had heard Nearf's call.