Chapter 12: D-Day... Sanctora vs Orcs
At the same time as the final phase of Liora's trial, the battlefield before Sanctora's fortress was a tapestry of tension and readiness, each soldier standing like a cog in a vast, silent machine.
The vanguard formed tight columns at the forefront, their shields glinting faintly under the overcast sky. Behind them, archers stood poised, crates of arrows stacked neatly between them, with torches flickering ominously atop each crate—ready to ignite fire arrows on command.
Further back, mages gripped their staffs firmly, their eyes closed as they mentally rehearsed spells. Atop the fortress walls, crossbowmen lined up, their weapons aimed steadily toward the horizon, waiting for the first glimpse of the enemy.
Silence reigned; no whispers or idle chatter disturbed the grim anticipation. It wasn't discipline alone that kept them quiet—it was fear, raw and palpable, though suppressed beneath layers of resolve.
Elowen, her voodoo doll bouncing lightly against her hip, turned to the general beside her. "when the orcs come," she said sharply, her voice cutting through the stillness, "it'll be horrifying. The ground will shake, and the dust they kick up will double the terror. You need to give a warcry—a good one. Something to snap our soldiers out of their dread. Add a 'clarity' spell from the mages afterward, and they'll perform at their peak."
She smirked faintly, adding dryly, "I'm leaving the speech to you since I'm not exactly known for motivational talks."
The general nodded solemnly, his jaw set. "understood, ma'am." Not long after, Elowen's warning prove chillingly accurate. A thunderous rumble echoed across the plains as the orc horde came into view—a monstrous tide stretching far beyond what anyone had imagined.
Their numbers dwarfed Sanctora's forces by at least tenfold, and their march shook the earth itself, sending clouds of dust billowing ahead of them like heralds of doom.
The sight was enough to make even seasoned soldiers falter. The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces pale beneath their helmets. Some gripped their weapons tighter, while others muttered prayers under their breath.
Despite the overwhelming odds, there was no retreat—only the grim resolve to protect their kingdom at any cost.
But before panic could take root, the general stepped forward, his voice booming with commanding authority. "soldiers of Sanctora!" he roared, his words carrying over the din of distant footsteps.