Chapter 0003: Striking Back
The scent of burning torches filled the air as Raiden Valorian stood in the war room of Darkvale Keep, surrounded by his closest allies.
The battle of Darkvale Pass had been a decisive victory, but Malagar would not stay silent. Now was the time to strike before the tyrant could send an army.
Raiden placed a dagger on the map before him. "We've defended our ground. Now, we take the fight to Malagar."
Ser Edric crossed his arms. "You mean an invasion?"
Raiden shook his head. "Not yet. We don't have the numbers for a full-scale war. But we can weaken him—strike where he least expects."
Elara smirked. "Sabotage, assassinations, cutting off supply lines?"
Raiden nodded. "Exactly. If we can't fight his army head-on, we will bleed him dry before he ever reaches our gates."
The plan was set. The rebellion would move into enemy territory for the first time.
Malagar's Wrath
Meanwhile, in the grand capital of Valoria, Malagar stood in his throne room, seething with rage.
Captain Dorn's severed head had been delivered to him in a blood-stained sack. Along with a message:
"This is only the beginning."
Malagar's grip tightened on the letter. "Raiden thinks he can challenge me?" He turned to General Varen Blackclaw, his most ruthless warlord. "Burn every village loyal to him. I want his people to suffer before they die."
Varen grinned. "And what of Raiden himself?"
Malagar's eyes darkened. "I have sent for someone… special."
The Raid on Black River Outpost
Three nights later, under the cover of darkness, Raiden led his best warriors behind enemy lines. Their target: Black River Outpost—one of Malagar's key supply bases.
The outpost guarded the main roads leading to Valoria, stocked with food, weapons, and gold. Destroying it would cripple Malagar's logistics.
As they reached the outskirts, Elara whispered, "Scouts say they have fifty men inside."
Raiden smirked. "Then we'll kill them in their sleep."
The attack was swift and brutal.
Archers eliminated the guards on the walls.Ser Edric's men stormed the barracks, slaying soldiers before they could wake.Elara and Raiden infiltrated the main storehouse, setting it ablaze.
By dawn, Black River Outpost was nothing but ash and corpses.
It was a message—Malagar was no longer the only one who could strike from the shadows.
A New Enemy Appears
But just as Raiden and his warriors were returning to Darkvale, disaster struck.
A lone rider appeared on the road ahead, clad in black armor, a curved blade resting at his hip. His presence alone made the air feel colder.
Ser Edric tensed. "Who in the abyss is that?"
The man dismounted, his movements smooth, deliberate. His piercing red eyes locked onto Raiden.
"Raiden Valorian," the man spoke, his voice deep and haunting. "You are bold to challenge Lord Malagar. But your rebellion ends here."
Raiden's grip tightened on his sword. "And who are you?"
The man smirked, drawing his blade.
"I am Darius Nightbane—Malagar's executioner."
Then, he attacked.
Duel with Death
The moonlight gleamed off Darius Nightbane's curved blade as he moved—fast, like a shadow given form. Raiden barely had time to react.
CLANG!
Their swords met, the force of the impact jolting through Raiden's arms. He had fought trained soldiers, battle-hardened knights, and monstrous creatures—but Darius was something else entirely.
The assassin struck again, his blade weaving through the air like a serpent. Raiden dodged left, barely avoiding a cut to his throat. Darius was playing with him. Testing him.
"You are fast, Prince," Darius said, his voice calm, almost amused. "But not fast enough."
He vanished—disappearing into the shadows.
Raiden's instincts screamed. He spun, raising his sword just in time to block a downward strike. Darius had reappeared behind him.
"Damn it—he's using shadow magic!" Elara shouted from a distance, watching with her daggers drawn.
Raiden gritted his teeth. This wasn't a normal fight. He had to change his strategy.
The Assassin's Game
Darius moved like a ghost, striking from impossible angles. His attacks weren't just powerful—they were precise, meant to exhaust Raiden, to leave him defenseless.
"Surrender," Darius said smoothly as he parried one of Raiden's desperate swings. "You cannot win."
Raiden's breathing was ragged. He needed to turn the fight in his favor—now.
Then, an idea struck him.
Turning the Tide
Darius attacked again—this time aiming for Raiden's right side, where he had been favoring his injured shoulder from the last battle.
A predictable move.
Raiden shifted at the last second, letting the blade slice just past his ribs—but at the same time, he stepped into Darius's guard.
Before the assassin could react, Raiden smashed his elbow into Darius's face.
The impact sent the assassin staggering. It was the first time he had been hit.
Raiden didn't waste a second. He followed with a powerful kick to Darius's chest, sending him tumbling backward into the dirt.
Elara saw the opening. "NOW!"
From the trees, Raiden's archers released a volley of arrows—but Darius was already moving.
With an unnatural speed, he flipped backward and vanished into the shadows once more.
A Temporary Victory
Silence fell over the battlefield. Raiden remained in a defensive stance, scanning the darkness.
But Darius was gone.
Elara cursed. "That bastard slipped away!"
Ser Edric approached, sword still drawn. "He won't stay away for long. That was a warning—next time, he'll come to kill."
Raiden exhaled slowly, wiping the blood from his side. He had survived, but barely. Darius was beyond dangerous.
Elara stepped closer, eyes serious. "We need to find a way to defeat him before he returns. Next time, he won't be alone."
Raiden looked toward the distant lights of Malagar's capital.
"Then we strike first."
In Malagar's Castle…
Darius kneeled before Lord Malagar, his expression unreadable.
"You let him live?" Malagar's voice was ice.
Darius smirked. "He is not weak. Killing him now would be… a waste."
Malagar's eyes narrowed. "I do not pay you to play games, assassin."
Darius stood, turning toward the door. "Then perhaps it's time I get serious."
Malagar watched him go, fingers tightening around his goblet.
"Raiden Valorian will not see the next full moon," he vowed.
Forging Alliances
The cold wind howled through Darkvale Keep as Raiden Valorian stood at the war table, his fingers tracing the battle-worn map.
Darius Nightbane had retreated—but he would return. And next time, Raiden might not survive.
Elara leaned against the wall, tossing a dagger in the air. "So, what now? Wait here until Malagar's army crushes us?"
Ser Edric frowned. "We need more men. More weapons. More allies."
Raiden's gaze was firm. "Then we ride."
The Road to the Ironwood Clan
The first stop was the Ironwood Clan, a warrior tribe in the northern mountains.
Fierce. Proud. And neutral in Malagar's war.
Raiden knew that would have to change.
As they reached the Ironwood stronghold, towering wooden gates loomed before them. Guards with painted faces and massive axes stood watch.
One of them stepped forward. "You come uninvited. State your purpose."
Raiden dismounted. "I am Raiden Valorian. I seek an alliance against Malagar."
The warrior snorted. "Why should we fight your war?"
Raiden met his gaze without fear. "Because Malagar will come for you next. And by then, it will be too late."
A deep, rumbling laugh echoed from within the stronghold. "Let him enter."
The doors creaked open, revealing a massive hall where Chief Torgar Ironfist sat upon a throne of bones and steel.
A Test of Strength
Torgar studied Raiden with piercing eyes. "You want our strength? Then prove yours."
A warrior stepped forward—a giant of a man, scars covering his chest.
"Defeat him," Torgar declared. "And we will talk."
Raiden smirked. "Fine."
The Duel Begins
The crowd roared as Raiden entered the fighting pit. His opponent, Garrik the Crusher, towered over him, wielding a warhammer the size of a tree trunk.
"I will break you," Garrik growled.
"Try," Raiden shot back.
Garrik swung his hammer with terrifying force—but Raiden was faster. He ducked, rolling to the side, his sword slashing across Garrik's arm.
The warrior roared in anger and charged. But Raiden had already seen his weakness—he was powerful, but slow.
As Garrik swung again, Raiden sidestepped at the last second, letting the hammer crash into the ground. Then, with lightning speed, he drove his sword into Garrik's leg.
The giant fell to his knees.
Raiden pressed his blade to Garrik's throat. "Yield."
After a tense moment, Garrik nodded. "You fight well, prince."
The Ironwood warriors erupted in cheers.
Torgar stood, grinning. "You have the strength of a king, Raiden Valorian. The Ironwood Clan stands with you!"
Raiden had won his first great alliance.
A Shadow Watches
As the victory feast began, Elara felt a chill in the air.
Her eyes darted to the shadows beyond the firelight.
And there—just for a second—she saw him.
Darius Nightbane. Watching. Waiting.
Before she could react, he was gone.
She turned to Raiden, whispering urgently. "We need to leave. Now."
Raiden's victory had drawn powerful allies…
But it had also drawn the eyes of death.
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(To be Continue...)