Soldiers patrolled around the check posts.A small wall was crafted with a raised platform where archers were placed. In the middle,Riley looked at the preparation.It was already late night and he asked soldiers to have a brief rest however there were still many who were wide awake. While many were asleep,some were still alerted and guarded the place. Amidst,at one of the tent,a sharp sound echoed along with splinters lit up the space for a brief solitude. Schiing!Schinng!Schiing. The sound of steel scraped through the cold night. Sparks spat out as Gare dragged the dagger along the edge of his sword. His remaining eye stared at it like a hawk. Each stroke was measured as the blade rubbed against the blade creating sparks due to friction. He breathed slowly, sharpening not just the blade but his own focus. The voice broke the silence. Gare stopped and turned around. Beside,Kael sat against a rock, with his head tilted slightly, his tone calm yet heavy. A faint hum left him as though he carried some thought too deep to share. "Make sure to observe and learn from Riley," Kael said softly. His eyes did not waver as he looked straight at Gare. His voice was low but sharp. "Things on the battlefield are different from other fights. One careless moment can lead to death for everyone. This will be a crucial experience for you." "I will," Gare replied, his voice quiet. He hesitated, staring at the blade in his hands. For a moment, his chest felt heavy. Until now, he had been only a shadow behind Kael. He had grown, yes, but not enough. He knew it. If things stayed the same, he was nothing but weight. And meaningless weight could be cast aside. Amidst this,a sudden sound erupted. The ground shook. Gare's heart lurched as an explosion tore the night apart. Both he and Kael rose in an instant. Horns blared with a sharp cry, followed by a scream that cut through the camp. Kael turned, his gaze sharp as a blade. "You know what to do. Regroup." Before Gare could answer, Kael launched himself into the air. His figure vanished into the storm, leaving only the cold rush of air behind. Gare stood still, his eyes fixed on that fading silhouette and wondered. Something seems strange. His Lord was different tonight. Usually, Kael carried lightness in his tone, even when facing death. He would mock the moment, laugh at danger, until fury finally lit him. But now, his shoulders had seemed heavy, and his face pale with a weight Gare did not understand. "I don't think anyone angered him," Gare thought. "So why does his mood feel so low?" He gripped his sword tighter and struck it against the dagger. A chime rang out sharply in the night. "Wake up," he whispered, steadying his breath. Googlᴇ search 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥 The sky had been shielded with thick black clouds. Snow drifted down, soft yet endless. Within that curtain of white snow shadows stirred out that were of the Demons emerging out. Their bodies were thick and twisted, horns jutting from bone. The snow hissed as it touched their skin, melting against the flood of mana spilling from their bodies. Their breath misted the air like smoke, their eyes glowing faintly. One demon grinned, his teeth jagged, his lips cracked. "I haven't tasted blood in too long." They lunged forward, feet pounding the ground. Each step was heavy enough to shake the earth. Clubs made from torn trees were swung wide, smashing rocks apart. Bare fists struck the frozen soil with heavy force that dismantled the ground. The night cracked with the sound of destruction. Horns echoed from the camp in reply. Men rose from their tents, armor clattering, blades drawn. Shouts overlapped with the whistle of arrows knocked in haste. "Fuck!" a demon roared as arrows rained down. "What is this shit? How did they know we were here?" Hearing this, a few of them looked at the speaker as if looking at some fool. Another bared his teeth and snarled. "Idiot. Your noise is enough to wake a dead snake." Their screeches rose, high and wild, as they slammed into the camp. The first row of tents collapsed under the rush. Fires were blasted out with a thud where clubs landed. Snow mixed with smoke, turning the air thick and choking. The humans braced themselves with shields locking into place. Spears were raised and lowered, boots pressed hard into the earth. "Everyone raise your guard!" the captain barked. His voice was hoarse yet steady. "Form a tight equipped nest!" They clustered into formation. Shields overlapped, spears thrust forward in a wall of steel. Every man's breath creates a subtle steam as their eyes fixed ahead. "Haha …Time to brawl.." The demons laughed wildly and sped up across the slope. And soon the two sides clashed heavily. The first line faltered as demons slammed onto the shields brutally causing a collapse.The humans were thrown back crashing into one another but few of them managed to hold their ground. They gritted their teeth furiously,slammed their legs and held steady. "Don't let them enter…" Steadying themselves,they thrust their spears at the demons who entered. Many spears shot out at once piercing the demons and drilled holes into their hide. A demon stepped up shoving the dead one ahead and swung his massive club down. Shields splintered and under the force the men beneath, staggered back with blood spilling from their lips. Another soldier stabbed forward, his spear piercing a demon's , but the creature only laughed and slammed him away injuring the both. "Hold! Push forward!" the captain roared, as his knuckles turned white around his blade. Steel clashes against flesh. Screams tore through the storm. Blood splattered across the snow, dyeing it with crimson tint.Men cried out as they fell, while others filled their gaps without hesitation.