A withering flower at devil's mercy

War raged on, its fires spreading like an unrelenting storm as the Wahrheit army carved a path of destruction through the human realm. Mercy was a luxury neither the weak nor the strong could afford. The Amanécerians, caught between opposing forces, bore catastrophic losses. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, they struggled to hold their ground.

"The humans have allied with Wahrheit, my king," Commander Julius announced, his voice heavy with dread as he delivered the dire news to Helios.

Helios, anticipating this betrayal, remained composed. His face betrayed no emotion, though the weight of the revelation settled heavily in the tent. Around him, the council erupted into disbelief.

"Ungrateful wretches!" one officer spat. "We extended our hand to aid them, and this is how they repay us?"

The murmurs of outrage grew louder until Helios slammed his palm against the war table. The sound echoed sharply, silencing the dissent.

"Enough," he commanded, his gaze steely. "Fracturing our unity will only hasten our downfall. Focus your energy on what lies ahead."

Though his calm exterior projected control, the failure of their strategy gnawed at him. Another swath of the human realm had fallen to Wahrheit's relentless advance. The air was heavy with the bitter taste of loss.

Rudolf, returned from the battlefield with grim tidings. His forces had recovered only the broken remnants of their own—a mass of lifeless bodies, hundreds of soldiers and medics who had perished in the chaos. Despite this, his tactical acumen remained sharp.

"We're preparing to strike from the western rear," Rudolf reported during the council meeting.

His plan drew immediate attention. He unfurled a map, pointing to the Central Plateau within the Kemetian Canyon.

"When their forces advance here, we'll bait them into pursuing us. Once the trap is sprung…" His finger traced a line north. "A small force will strike from the blind spot, while the main contingent regroups after taking a detour."

The room buzzed with cautious optimism. The plan was sound, its precision evident. Helios nodded in approval.

Canute, a trusted advisor, interjected. "The alchemists will provide support from above." He gestured to the cliffs overlooking the canyon. "If they detect our intentions, we'll strike swiftly from their blind spot."

With the strategy finalized, Helios dismissed the council. The soldiers dispersed to prepare for the impending battle, and his squires began armoring him.

"What news of the Grandmaster?" Helios asked, his voice low but weighted.

Canute hesitated, the pause thick with unspoken grief. "There's still no sign of him, my king. Even the third search party has returned empty-handed."

Helios closed his eyes briefly, stifling his frustration. He shifted the conversation. "And the evacuation?"

"The Triglav's twin heads have been sighted in the eastern mountain range," Canute replied. "The alchemists report a wyvern wreaking havoc in Wahrheit's territory. It's only a matter of time before Dabbah emerges."

Helios offered no response. His thoughts drifted to his people—his daughters.

"Any word from Olympus?"

Canute hesitated again, his composure faltering. "None…" He dared not mention Avlyn's passing, the burns that had claimed her life. The king's fragile hope was the last thing holding him together.

---

Two weeks later, under the cover of night, their forces gathered at the plateau. Camps sprawled across its heights, their fires flickering defiantly against the darkness. Soldiers kept a vigilant watch, scanning the horizon for signs of the enemy.

A scout burst into Rudolf's tent, his breath labored. "The Wahrheit army approaches!"

Rudolf straightened. "How many?"

"Eighty advancing from the left flank… around four hundred from the right."

A sly grin crossed Rudolf's face. "So, they think they can outmaneuver us?" His voice rose as he addressed the soldiers. "We stick to the plan! Numbers mean nothing. Our resolve and faith will see us through!"

His words ignited a surge of determination among the troops. They cheered, their voices resounding across the camp, a rallying cry against the impending storm.

As the Wahrheiti forces neared, the stage was set. The Amanécerians braced themselves, every man and woman ready to fight for their survival—and their future.

Three hundred soldiers encountered the demon army from the left flank. They clashed at first as both sides began to lose their soldiers. The demon army continued to pressurize the Amanécerians brutally. Rudolf gave off the signal as the other half of the eastward army joined forces with their allies. He let his flames go on a rampage taking down twenty enemy soldiers at one strike.

Canute looking out for his signal gestured at the alchemists and archers.

"Now!" He commanded.

Huge balls of holy water and boiling oil were catapulted where most of the demon army stood. It took down most of them when the strategy faltered.

"They are going back! Send the other forces a signal." Helios commanded and descended down once again. This time with fewer men leaving the rest at the rear to guard the others.

He entrapped them in the canyon with Rudolf leading the other faction from west. They began the brutal slaughter mercilessly. For the first time they found hope within war after suffering great losses.

At the distance Iblis sat enraged as he watched his minions being slayed for after the other.

His silence was threatening as Draco didn't dare look at him the second time. He still couldn't accept his appearance after Iblis had taken over Zavaikal's body. It felt like Zavaikal was with him but at the same time he was not what he had known.

"Deploy the troops." He commanded. Even his voice was what was once Zavaikal's.

"We will take over Kemet." He commanded in a dangerously low voice.

"As you command." Draco hastened to obey him.