The horn echoed across the field as Hikaru stood at the edge of his village, staring down the approaching threat. Wrex, the player they had been warned about, was coming to Ashenhold. His troops—five heavy-footed soldiers and two archers—marching steadily through the fog of twilight. Hikaru's heart raced, but he remained calm. This was the test, the moment when everything he'd worked for would either succeed or fail.
"Blake, get the troops in position," Hikaru ordered, his voice firm.
Blake, gripping his sword, nodded swiftly and dashed toward the newly established Barracks. The soldiers who had been training were quickly called to their posts. The Swordsmen lined up in a solid wall, their broad swords gleaming in the fading sunlight. The Archers stationed themselves behind the Swordsmen, their bows nocked and ready. Finally, the Spearmen took their positions on the flanks, forming a defensive perimeter.
Hikaru took a deep breath. His fingers hovered over the Command Grid in front of him.
Defensive Strategy:
Deploy Shield Wall: +15% Defense to all Frontline Units.
Ranged Support: Archers stand ready to attack incoming forces.
Flank Protection: Spearmen hold the outer lines.
Hikaru confirmed the plan and activated the tactics. His heart pounded in anticipation. The world felt still for a moment, as if holding its breath.
Then the first sound of battle rang out.
The clash began as the Footmen of Wrex's army crashed into the line of Swordsmen, the weight of their heavy armor and shields creating an explosive impact. The Swordsmen, fortified by the Shield Wall, stood firm, their swords flashing in the air as they parried and struck back.
One of Wrex's Footmen fell, but the others pressed forward, determined to break through. Hikaru's eyes darted between his units, watching the battle unfold. His Swordsmen were holding their ground, but just barely. The foot soldiers were stronger, and their relentless assault had already begun to push them back.
"Archers, fire!" Hikaru shouted.
The Archers, positioned behind the line of Swordsmen, pulled their strings back and let their arrows fly. The first volley streaked through the air, piercing the hearts of two of Wrex's Footmen. They crumpled to the ground, their armor clinking as they hit the dirt.
But it wasn't enough.
The remaining Footmen were relentless, their heavy shields blocking most of the arrows. Wrex's two Archers took advantage of the distraction, moving to a higher point on the battlefield and unleashing a flurry of arrows toward the Swordsmen.
The Swordsmen began to stagger under the pressure, but Hikaru wasn't about to let them fall. He quickly accessed his Command Grid.
Tactic Activated: Fortify
+20% Defense for Swordsmen
Increases Shield Strength and Stamina
The Swordsmen's shields grew stronger, their posture more resilient. For a moment, the pressure from Wrex's forces lessened. The Swordsmen held their ground. Hikaru's eyes scanned the battlefield, noting the growing number of casualties.
Then, from the left flank, he saw movement.
The Spearmen, holding their formation as ordered, advanced, thrusting their long spears toward Wrex's approaching Footmen. The tip of one spear punctured the side of a Footman's armor, and with a swift motion, the Spearman twisted, pulling the weapon free.
Another Footman fell.
Hikaru knew the balance had shifted in his favor. Wrex's army was faltering, and his defensive line was holding strong. The combined efforts of the Swordsmen, Archers, and Spearmen were beginning to wear down the invaders.
But Wrex wasn't going to retreat that easily.
Warning: Enemy Special Ability Activated
Wrex: Battle Cry
All Enemy Units Gain +10% Damage and +15% Speed for 30 seconds.
Hikaru felt the tension rise as Wrex's forces surged forward with newfound strength. The Footmen's strikes grew harder, faster, and more precise. The Swordsmen flinched under the renewed assault. One of the Swordsmen in the front line collapsed, a spear thrust deep into his chest.
Blake, sword raised, pushed his way forward. "We're losing ground!" he yelled.
"Stay strong!" Hikaru shouted back, his mind racing. "We have to hold out until the Archers can take them down!"
The Archers responded, loosing another volley. This time, a few arrows found their mark, striking down one of Wrex's Archers. But the battle wasn't over yet. Hikaru quickly tapped into his Command Grid once again, his mind whirling through the available options.
Tactic Activated: Rally
All Units Gain +10% Attack and +10% Morale for 20 seconds
The world around him seemed to slow as a rush of adrenaline filled his body. He could see his troops rallying, the Swordsmen pushing harder, the Archers nocking their arrows with renewed vigor. The Spearmen, too, stood their ground, thrusting their spears with a ferocity born from Hikaru's command.
"Push them back!" Hikaru roared.
His voice, amplified by the Rally tactic, carried across the battlefield. The tide of battle began to shift. The Footmen staggered under the renewed offensive, their once-unyielding shield walls crumbling. One by one, they fell, pierced by swords or spears. The remaining Footmen tried to retreat, but it was too late.
Victory: Ashenhold Defends Against Wrex's Forces!
The battlefield fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the victorious soldiers. Hikaru surveyed the area, the adrenaline slowly wearing off. The bodies of the fallen littered the ground, and the wounded were being tended to by the remaining villagers.
Blake approached, his sword covered in blood but his face showing a relieved smile. "We did it. We actually did it."
Hikaru's gaze was already on the fallen enemy soldiers. There was no time for celebration. Wrex's defeat would be a temporary victory unless they capitalized on it.
"We've won this battle, but there will be more," Hikaru said, his voice steady. "We need to expand our army and fortify the village. If we're going to survive in this world, we need to be ready for whatever comes next."
Blake nodded. "What's the next step?"
"We build," Hikaru replied, looking out across the battlefield where the remains of the enemy army lay. "We build an army, we fortify, and we grow. This is just the beginning."