Perceval sat cross-legged in front of the base with a wooden staff across his knees. He meditated in silence while the camp was waking up for the second day of battle. The sound of rustling grass filled his ears until he heard someone sit on the ground next to him. He opened one eye to see Sam trying to sit more comfortably beside him.
He chuckled, "You're up early. Is this war troubling you?"
"Doesn't it bother you that they didn't try anything last night?" Sam groaned, "They've got to be planning something, right?"
"Or perhaps, they're waiting for our next move. We don't know how long they can stay huddled up in their ships. With how many troops they lost yesterday, I'm sure they're just being more cautious," Perceval tried to ease her mind.
"What about that Laxtros?" Sam fumed, "She could attack us at any minute."
Perceval nodded gravely, "That enemy is certainly a fearsome one. She is why I stayed out here all night on guard. You haven't faced one of these before, have you?"
"No, that's the first one I've ever seen," Sam grumbled, "But when Emory herself fought one, she got stage four magik poisoning. I can't even begin to imagine how terrifyingly strong they are."
"You're right. The power I felt coming off it was only slightly less than I felt coming off Emory. It will take all six of us to even have a chance against them," Perceval grimaced.
"Should we adjust the plan then?" Sam questioned, "If you think it will take all six of us, maybe we should all start together."
Perceval shook his head, "We don't know which of the locations they will attack first. While it's most likely they will come to the eastern front, it's possible they could go to any of battlefields. If they showed up at one without any of us to defend it, our army would be wiped out right away."
"I suppose you're right," Sam huffed, "Maybe I'll feel better once they appear."
"The army should be waking up soon. Once everyone is ready, we'll head out and finish this, one way or another," Perceval comforted her as he patted her back.
Fifteen minutes later, the sounds of the army getting up could be heard by Perceval and Sam. Half an hour after that, the army had assembled, and the leaders split them all into three groups again. The air was heavy with anticipation as everyone trudged forward to their designated sites. Instead of the pleasant smell of flowers and greens that normally wafted through the air, the distinct odor of iron and decay filled the clearings. Though the humans had carried away all their fallen comrades, all the bodies of the fallen Apleem had disappeared mysteriously as well. Whether Myrrh had consumed them or the remaining Apleem had brought them back to their ships, no one knew. Yet it gave the battle sites an eerie feeling with the smell of death but no bodies to produce it.
When the armies arrived and got into position, each of the leaders fired a bolt of magik towards the ships. They had little to no impact on the ships, but that's not what the attacks were meant to do. Suddenly, the doors of the ships opened wide, and a buzzing, hissing sound cut the silence as it slowly grew louder. However, enemies only poured out of the western and northern ships while the eastern ships remained empty. This small gesture gave Perceval a pit in his stomach that only grew as time went on. Even though the other two armies began to engage and the sound of battle rang out in the air, still no one came through the open doors of the eastern ships. Finally, when the battle had been going on for around an hour, a singular figure confidently strode onto the eastern battlefield, a Laxtros covered in black and gold armor.
Perceval shot a green bolt of magik into the air which exploded like a firework over the eastern site, the signal the leaders had agreed upon for a Laxtros sighting. He walked a little way away from the rest of the army before turning back to look at Elffin.
"Take the army and go support the other groups," Perceval commanded, "If you or any of them take part in this fight, you will certainly lose your lives."
Elffin quivered, "Shouldn't I at least wait for the other leaders to show up?"
"They will get here when they get here," Perceval sternly replied, "We do not know how long this enemy will wait to attack. Leave now before they act."
Elffin gulped before nodding and leading the army away from the impending fight. As they left, Perceval took a few more steps towards the Laxtros until the two stopped a hundred feet away from each other.
The Laxtros spoke with overwhelming confidence, "If you sent your army away, how are you meant to defeat me by yourself? Don't you know how strong we are?"
"It is because of your strength that I sent them away," Perceval answered firmly, "If they were here, I would be distracted. With them gone, I am free to fight you without worrying about them. My name is Perceval Ide, former leader of the Ide clan of Witches."
"I am Selena, first mistress to the Lady Petrine. I can sense you are different than most of the creatures here, more like the red-haired girl I met before. I'm actually looking for her," Selena smirked.
"The Lady Supreme is not here at the moment," Perceval revealed, "Why are you looking for her?"
Selena cackled, "Not that it matters to you, but my Lady wishes to speak with her. I don't suppose that you'll tell me where she is."
"You are correct; I have no desire to tell you where she is," Perceval grinned as lights began appearing behind him, "We will have to entertain you in her absence."
"Oh my, there's more of you than before. You've been busy planning for our arrival," Selena laughed as black balls began forming in her palms. In response, Gatrie, Gwen, Perceval, Sam, and Tana each created an orb between their hands. Selena bared her teeth, "Well then, let's see how you compare to her."