Chapter Fifteen – The Fall of the Free Flame
The chilling winds blew across the darkened chamber of the Shadow Citadel as Andrei entered, clad in his new armor pulsating with runes of shadow, recently enchanted by his own hands. He bowed before Andrew, whose silhouette shimmered like smoke in the dim torchlight.
"The city has prepared its defense," Andrei reported grimly. "Fifty-seven thousand men and women, mostly volunteers and untrained citizens. The fools even left only five thousand soldiers guarding the southern front—where the Sultan's fleet just landed."
Andrew stood before the obsidian window, gazing into the distance, the faint whispers of shadows echoing in his ears.
"A reckless move indeed," he said quietly. "Mihai leads the 10th Battalion. If the battle isn't over by tomorrow…" Andrew turned, his eyes like empty voids, "I will go myself. And this time, I will erase them from existence."
Andrei hesitated. "What about Kael, David, Lira… and your sister?"
Andrew's expression darkened. "If they surrender, do not harm them. Send word to me… and bring Natalia to me, untouched. If even a finger is laid upon her—"
He turned to Andrei, his aura flaring like a storm, "—I will show the entire continent the seventh circle of hell."
At the Walls of the Free City
The city stood defiant, though its people knew fear. David stood upon the battlements, Kael at his side, armor still marked with the blood of previous battles. The horizon rippled as the 10th Shadow Battalion appeared, blackened armor glowing faintly with the power of Andrei's enchantments.
At their head rode Mihai, his presence oppressive, the very air bending under his will.
He raised a hand, his voice carried by some dark force across the field.
"People of the Free City. You are outnumbered not in body, but in soul. Surrender. Hand over Natalia peacefully. Any harm to her, and your city will be ashes before nightfall."
David stepped forward, fury blazing in his eyes.
"We will not bow to shadows. We will not surrender. Not today."
Kael clenched his fists beside him. "If we fall, we fall as men and women who chose to stand."
Mihai gave no reply. He simply dropped his hand.
The attack began.
The Battle Begins
The 10th Battalion charged like a black tide. Five thousand shadows—former generals of the New Order—now moved like demons, overwhelming the city's walls with inhuman agility and magic. Explosions rocked the barricades as enchantments detonated on impact.
Alex, though gravely wounded from his clash with the Sultan, gritted his teeth and stepped into the fray. With one arm, he swung his blade, trying to cut through the monstrous shadows. He managed to wound one—but the pain caught up. Blood spilled from his side. Another shadow knight slashed him down. Alex collapsed, unconscious.
"MOVE!" shouted Kael, slicing down a shadow knight, helping Mario protect the eastern gate. Cristi and Lira fired coordinated magic spells, barely holding the enemy back.
On the western wall, David clashed with Mihai directly. Their blades struck like thunderclaps, two masters testing each other blow after blow. Mihai's speed was otherworldly, but David's will held strong—until Mihai's aura swelled with fury.
"You've grown weaker," Mihai said coldly, forcing David to his knees. "The world is changing. You cannot stop it."
The Fall
The defenses broke. One by one, sectors of the city fell. Fires raged. Screams echoed.
Kael, soaked in sweat and blood, limped toward the central square. He found Natalia being guarded by Greenwolf.
"They're everywhere!" Kael shouted. "We need to get her out now!"
David, bruised and bleeding, staggered into the square. "Retreat! You must protect her!"
Kael's voice cracked, "I can't leave you behind!"
"You must!" David shouted. "If they catch you, Andrew will win."
Shadow troops swarmed. Alex, now captured, was being dragged away. Mihai stepped forward, his blade gleaming with shadowlight.
David turned to face him one last time, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Tell Andrew… he's not the only one who's mastered sacrifice."
Greenwolf grabbed Kael by the arm, pulling him back. "Now, boy! Take your mother and RUN!"
Kael shouted in protest, but he was outmatched, too injured to resist. He watched as David stood his ground, Alex lying unconscious beside him. Lira cast a blinding light spell, giving them seconds of cover.
Retreat
Fifteen thousand survivors—mostly civilians, mages, wounded soldiers—followed Kael, Natalia, Mario, Greenwolf, Lira, and Cristi into the northern woods.
The city behind them burned, banners of flame lighting the night sky. Screams turned to silence.
As Kael looked back, tears streamed down his face. "I will return," he whispered. "I'll make this right."
Natalia held his hand tight. "Andrew … he'll come. We must be ready for what comes next."
In the distance, Mihai stood atop the citadel ruins, sending one final message into the night.
"The city is ours. Prepare for phase two."