Chapter 62: March of the Lycan Army
579 Words
The first light of dawn slowly crept over the Lycan kingdom.
The sky was painted in shades of gray and pale gold, but the beauty of the morning did little to calm the tension in the air.
The entire kingdom was awake.
Warriors filled the castle courtyard, forming long rows of armored soldiers. The sound of metal clashing and horses stomping echoed across the stone walls.
Thousands of Lycan warriors stood ready.
At the front of them all stood King Kael.
He wore his dark battle armor, the symbol of the Lycan crown engraved across the chest.
His presence alone commanded silence.
Aria stood beside him on the castle balcony, watching the massive army gather below.
She had never seen so many warriors in one place.
“Your kingdom is strong,” she said quietly.
Kael nodded.
“They are loyal.”
“But even loyal warriors can fall,” she replied.
Kael looked toward the distant forest.
“Then we make sure their sacrifice is not in vain.”
Below them, Commander Roran rode forward on horseback.
He raised his sword high into the air.
“Warriors of the Lycan kingdom!” he shouted.
The army roared in response.
Roran pointed toward the dark forest beyond the valley.
“Our enemy awakens!”
A loud growl spread through the warriors.
“But we are the protectors of this land!”
The soldiers slammed their weapons against their shields.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Their battle cry echoed across the valley.
Aria felt goosebumps rise along her arms.
Kael stepped forward onto the balcony edge.
His voice carried across the entire courtyard.
“Today we face a monster older than this kingdom.”
The warriors fell silent, listening carefully.
“Dravoryx believes fear will break us.”
Kael drew his sword.
The blade reflected the rising sunlight.
“But we are Lycans.”
A deep roar erupted from the army.
“And Lycans do not kneel.”
The warriors howled toward the sky.
AROOOOOO!
The sound was powerful enough to shake the air.
Aria felt the crescent mark on her wrist glow faintly in response.
Kael turned to her.
“Stay inside the walls.”
Aria shook her head immediately.
“No.”
“This battlefield will be dangerous.”
“I know.”
Her voice was firm now.
“But this war started because of me.”
Kael studied her face.
“And it will end because of us.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Kael gave a small nod.
“Stay close to me.”
Relief crossed Aria’s face.
Below them, the massive castle gates slowly began to open.
The Lycan army started marching forward.
Thousands of warriors moved across the valley like a dark wave.
The ground trembled beneath their steps.
Far in the distance, the forest was still shaking.
Something enormous was moving within the trees.
Aria stared at the horizon.
“Do you think we can defeat him?”
Kael’s golden eyes remained fixed ahead.
“Yes.”
His answer was simple.
But his voice carried absolute certainty.
Yet deep inside the forest…
Hidden in the shadows of massive broken trees…
A tall figure stood watching the approaching army.
Darius.
He smiled calmly as he looked up toward the towering form of Dravoryx.
The massive creature’s red eyes glowed like burning fire.
“Soon,” Darius whispered.
The Devourer spread his enormous wings.
And the forest trembled again.
The war had finally begun.
- Writer
