Paladin's Rise - Lich Lord Wars Book 4

Chapter 7

"We cannot win this battle, we should withdraw!"

"Their southern line of defense has collapsed, Alixia is out of the fight! Now is the time to take their keep, kill all inside and watch the remainder of the city crumble!"

"We are losing too much, we need to withdrawal and build back our forces!"

"Do as you're ordered, take the keep and then we will destroy all of our enemies here today."

Teanas gritted his teeth, the heat of battle and the weight of responsibility bearing down upon him. His heart thundered in his chest like a thousand hooves pounding the earth, and he knew that if he didn't act soon, all would be lost.

"Enough of this charade," Teanas muttered, glancing at the fieles on his finger: the ring that could transform into any weapon he desired. With a flick of his wrist, the fieles morphed into a gleaming sword, its edges kissed by flames. "Time to show you what I'm really capable of."

"And just when I thought you were running out of tricks," Lich-El sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do proceed, my old friend. Regale me with your legendary prowess."

"Your wish is my command," Teanas shot back, launching himself forward, sword ablaze. As they clashed, the world around them seemed to warp and change. The once lush, green fields now resembled a scorched wasteland, the air thick with smoke and ash. Each swing of their weapons left a trail of destruction in its wake, as though the gods themselves were warring upon the mortal plane.

"Is this all you've got?" Lich-El taunted, narrowly evading a fiery slash. "I expected more from the great prince of the elves."

"Careful what you wish for," Teanas growled through clenched teeth. He changed tactics, allowing the fieles to shift into a bow, each arrow tipped with searing flame. Yet, despite his best efforts, Teanas felt his strength waning, drawn away by the very forces that fueled his enemy.

The sounds of battle from Flameshaven echoed in the distance, a cacophony of death and despair that only served to strengthen Lich-El's dark power. With each fallen soldier, his might grew, while Teanas' own connection to life dwindled.

In that moment, Teanas felt the crushing weight of inevitability bearing down upon him. He had given everything, and yet it seemed it would not be enough. As Lich-El's hammer came crashing down, Teanas managed to dodge, but only just - a glancing blow was still enough to send him sprawling to the ground.

"Any last words?" Lich-El asked, looming over the fallen Teanas, his tone dripping with venomous amusement.

"Only this," Teanas gasped, his vision blurred by pain and exhaustion. "No matter what happens here today, you will be stopped."

"Bold words," Lich-El sneered, raising his hammer once more. "But ultimately, meaningless."

The hammer's descent halted mid-air, a shadow of doom arrested by the sudden intrusion. Lich-El whirled around, displaying agility that belied his undead form, just in time to block a swift attack from Ulec, who had leaped down from a nearby tree. The young elf's blade met the haft of the war hammer with a ringing clash, his blue eyes blazing with fierce determination.

"Ah, Ulec," Lich-El crooned, his voice as smooth and poisonous as black ichor. "I didn't hear you slithering up behind me. Quite an impressive feat, I must say."

With a flick of his wrist, Lich-El sent Ulec flying through the air, but the agile youth managed to land on his feet, skidding to a stop amidst the scorched earth and shattered rocks left in the wake of the titanic struggle. He gritted his teeth, anger mingling with frustration at his failure to land a decisive blow.