The trees tremble as the Soul Army marches closer.
Kaelion, Sylena, and Raik watch — until a branch snaps under Kaelion's foot.
SNAP!
Instantly, several Soul Archers turn their heads.
"Intruders!"
"At the ridge!"
Without hesitation, arrows of pure soul energy are fired toward them.
"MOVE!" Raik yells.
They dive down the hill as arrows rip through the trees above them, sizzling like lightning.
At the bottom of the slope, they land hard —
but there's no time to breathe.
Several Soul Knights and Soul Archers charge at them, weapons ready.
The Fight Begins
Kaelion plants his hand on the ground, feeling the earth's heartbeat.
He calls out the stone —
a wall of rock erupts from the ground, blocking a volley of arrows.
Sylena moves fast, summoning winds from her Tempeststone to blow away incoming knights, their heavy armor clanking as they're tossed aside.
Raik, breathing heavy, teleports between enemies — grabbing soul archers and dropping them high into the air where they crash down hard.
Still —
they're outnumbered.
More knights pour into the forest.
The massive Soul General spots them and points his axe.
"Crush them. Bring me the boy with the Earth Stone."
The ground quakes as elite knights rush forward.
Sylena looks at Kaelion, fear in her eyes.
"Kaelion, we have to run! We can't win this!"
Raik, blood on his forehead, shouts:
"We're dead if we stay here, MOVE!"
Kaelion breathes heavy.
His hands are trembling — but not from fear.
From something deeper.
From fire burning inside his chest.
He stands up slowly, facing the oncoming storm of Soul Knights.
His voice, low and steady, cuts through the chaos.
"No."
"I'm not running anymore."
The earth at his feet rumbles.
Rocks swirl around him, forming gauntlets and armor on his arms and legs.
Sylena stares at him — stunned.
Kaelion slams his fists together, and the entire ground CRACKS outward, throwing dozens of Soul Knights off their feet.
"Come at me!" Kaelion roars.
The true fight begins.