As Orion finished speaking, a scout burst into the group, his face pale with urgency. "My lords, a part of Valen Ashencrowd's army, around 2000 strong, had been hiding in the eastern ravines. They're moving in from our backs, right now."
Kaelith's eyes snapped to the scout, his expression grim. "How did they get past our lines?"
The scout shook his head. "They were hidden, my lord. We've been ambushed."
Orion's face turned cold, his voice like ice. "Cyrin, take a detachment of Shadow Knights and intercept them. Kaelith, you and Arin hold the front line. I'll take the rest of the forces to support Cyrin."
Cyrin smiled, a glint of rivalry in his eyes. "Ah, Orion, always trying to take the toughest task for himself. I'll show you how it's done."
Kaelith snorted, a hint of amusement on his face. "You two, always competing. Just don't get killed."
Orion's eyes locked with Cyrin's, a spark of challenge igniting between them. "I'll show you what a real commander looks like, Cyrin."
Cyrin's smile grew wider. "I'm shaking in my boots, Orion."
Kaelith intervened, his voice dry. "Enough, you two. We've got a battle to win. Cyrin, go. Orion, let's move."
As Cyrin led his detachment to intercept the enemy, Orion turned to Kaelith, his expression serious. "You know, Kaelith, I didn't expect Valen to have such a trick up his sleeve."
Kaelith's face was grim. "He's always been one for dirty tricks. But we've got this. We've got the best commanders in Ardentia."
Orion's eyes glinted with rivalry. "Let's hope Cyrin's up to it. He's been getting a bit... complacent."
Kaelith chuckled, a low, rough sound. "You worry about your own hide, Orion. Cyrin's got this."
As the two of them parted ways, the battle raged on, the fate of Ardentia hanging in the balance.
The main battle raged on, Kaelith and Arin holding the front line against Valen's forces. Ember's Fury burned bright, cutting through enemy ranks like a scorching fire. Arin's Crimson Shields anchored the center, their shields absorbing the enemy's fury as they struck back with precision.
Meanwhile, Cyrin led his Shadow Knights in a deadly dance on the flank, countering Valen's hidden 2000. The ravines echoed with screams and steel as Cyrin's forces struck like vipers, targeting the enemy commanders and sowing chaos. "Cut their wings!" Cyrin shouted, his daggers flashing as he took down an enemy leader.
Orion's Shadow Knights pushed forward on the main front, their dark blades whispering death as they supported Kaelith and Arin. "For Ardentia!" Orion roared, his sword cleaving through enemy ranks.
The enemy forces were relentless, their numbers seeming to grow as the battle raged on. Kaelith's flames burned brighter, his sword Ember's Fury cutting through the enemy ranks like a hot knife through butter.
On the flank, Cyrin's forces were gaining ground, pushing Valen's hidden troops back into the ravines. "Crush them!" Cyrin shouted, his Shadow Knights closing the trap.
The battle raged like a storm, the outcome hanging in the balance. The defenders fought with every shred of strength, but the enemy's numbers seemed endless.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows, the defenders began to gain momentum. Cyrin's forces on the flank were winning, pushing the enemy back. The main front held firm, Kaelith's flames burning brighter than ever.
Orion's voice boomed across the battlefield, "Push forward! We've got them on the ropes!"
The defenders surged forward, their blades striking true as they pushed the enemy back.
The battle stabilized, the defenders holding firm as Harlen unleashed his fury upon the main battlefield. His flames roared to life, a wall of fire sweeping across the enemy ranks like a living thing. The enemy screamed, their armor melting, their flesh burning as Harlen's inferno consumed them.
Kaelith's eyes gleamed with approval, his own flames burning brighter in response. "Harlen's got the front!" he shouted, his sword Ember's Fury cutting through the enemy ranks with renewed ferocity.
Arin's Crimson Shields pushed forward, their shields protecting them from the heat as they advanced through the burning enemy lines. Orion's Shadow Knights flanked them, their dark blades striking down any who survived the flames.
On the eastern flank, Cyrin's forces were closing in, pushing Valen's hidden troops back into the ravines. "No escape!" Cyrin shouted, his daggers flashing as he took down an enemy commander.
The battlefield was a hellscape, Harlen's flames burning brighter than the setting sun. The enemy wanked, their ranks breaking as they stumbled back from the inferno.
Orion's voice cut through the chaos, "Pursue! Don't let them regroup!"
The defenders surged forward, their blades striking true as they pushed the enemy back. The battle was turning, the defenders gaining the upper hand.
Harlen's flames finally died down, the battlefield scorched and silent, except for the moans of the wounded. The defenders regrouped, their faces smeared with sweat and soot.
"We've won," Arin said, his voice low, his shield battered but still standing.
"Not yet," Kaelith said, his eyes scanning the horizon. "The battle's not over till corvus's dealt with."
Cyrin strode up, his daggers clean, his expression thoughtful. "I think we've dealt with his pawns. Time to find the king."
The defenders nodded, their faces set with determination. The battle was far from over.