The sentinels; one soul, one wolf.

--- The battlefield reeked of smoke, fire and blood. Lifeless bodies of the Sentinels lay scattered across the scorched earth. "search every single corner. Make sure no one is alive!" Chief Zed roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. He crushed the skull of a wounded man beneath his boot, silencing his groans. The soldiers obeyed without hesitation, ensuring not a single soul escaped. "We've cleared them all," one soldier reported, dropping to his knees before Zed. A smirk curled on Zed’s lips. He turned to the darkened sky, raised his head, and let out a triumphant howl. "We have accomplished the mission! Tomorrow, we conquer the entire Dremire!" "AUUUUUUUUU!" The soldiers joined in, their howls echoing through the valley. And just like that, the once glorious and undefeatable land of the Sentinels was trampled under the feet of the Torehens. ---- City of Vanen Chaos consumed the city as news of the m******e spread like wildfire. The streets shook with the thunder of marching boots. Soldiers patrolled every corner, swords drawn. The city gates were guarded by the fiercest among the Dremires—men in their wolf forms. No civilians were allowed outside. By order of the King. --- Inside the Palace A long table stretched across the great hall, where voices clashed in heated debate. At its end, King Ron sat silently, eyes fixed ahead, listening. “Your Majesty, every minute counts,” said Mr. Greston, rising to speak. “We must send our women and children to safety in nearby cities.” “I object!” Mr. Raul snapped, standing tall. “We must uphold our honor. The world knows our strength. Evacuating now would shame our name!” Another slammed his fist on the table. “Our stronghold was the Sentinels—and they’re all dead. The Torehens now have the upper hand in numbers and brute strength!” “Are you questioning our might?” Mr. Valenor growled. “It’s not about questioning. It’s reality,” said Mr. Landry. “I support Mr. Greston. We must protect what remains.” “We must fight for our pride!” another man shouted. “And risk extinction?” Mr. Landry countered. “Enough!” King Ron roared as he rose. The room fell into stunned silence. “We shall fight for our honor,” he declared, voice heavy with resolve. “But we will not sacrifice our future. Every household is to evacuate the women and children tonight. We march to capture the city of Irvine—it will become our refuge, our fortress.” “Excellent, Your Majesty,” said Mr. Greston, bowing as he turned to leave. “But we can’t just abandon our city,” Valenor protested. “I have given my orders,” King Ron said coldly. “This meeting is dismissed.” Those loyal to his command left satisfied. Those who opposed departed with grudges burning in their hearts. --- Greston, leader of the king’s army and a trusted friend, led his troops swiftly. Within hours, they captured Irvine and stretched the borders toward the Minthons, securing the path. The evacuation began immediately. --- The King’s Quarters King Ron summoned the Queen and his children. "You must come with us, Ron," Queen Anora said, walking up to him, her voice breaking. “Anora,” he whispered, cupping her face gently. “I am the king. What kind of leader would I be if I ran while my people stayed behind to suffer?” “I don’t want to lose you,” she said, eyes brimming with tears. “You won’t,” he said, firm but tender. “I’ll come back to you. To all of you.” “Promise me,” she whispered. “I promise,” he replied, wrapping her in a tight embrace. A servant entered, bringing the children. “Come here,” Ron called softly, kneeling down to hug them. “Be good. Listen to your mother.” “Okay, Father,” said Odeya, the eldest. “Take care of them,” Ron instructed Orhon, his eldest son. “I will, Father,” the boy replied solemnly. Ron stood and embraced Anora one final time before they were escorted out by the guards. He exhaled deeply, watching the men outside prepare for war. ---- Mr. Valenor’s place — Outside the Palace “I called you here because I have a proposal,” Valenor said, seated before a few dissatisfied council members. “We’re listening,” Mr. Delsva replied cautiously. “We cannot withstand the Torehens—not now. I suggest we side with them.” “Never!” Delsva shouted, leaping to his feet. “Think about it,” Valenor pressed. “If they crushed the Sentinels, what chance do we stand? But if we join them, we survive. Our families survive. Maybe they’ll even reward us and make us kings.” “And how can we trust that?” one man asked. “Yes. Why should we believe you?” another added. “Because I gave him my word,” a voice said as a man stepped into the room. Everyone turned. Fear rippled through them. It was Vermin—the leader of the Torehens himself. “You traitor!” Delsva growled at Valenor. Valenor let out a slow, dark chuckle. “Aren’t you a traitor as well, Delsva?” “I won’t be part of this,” Delsva declared about to leave. But before he could take a step, Vermin struck him down. The room froze. Gasps escaped from some of the council members as Vermin lowered his bloodstained blade. “Anyone else?” Vermin asked coldly, his eyes scanning the room like daggers. A heavy silence followed, broken only by Valenor rising slowly to his feet. “It’ll be dawn soon,” he said calmly. “Here’s the plan. When the Torehens attack, we’ll be beside the king. They’ll eliminate the other council members—everyone but us and the king.” “No one touches Ron,” Vermin added with a deadly edge. “He’s mine.” “Rest assured,” Valenor continued, “our families are safe.” “What about the other families?” a man asked nervously. Valenor hesitated. “If they surrender… they’ll be spared,” he said after a pause. And then Vermin stepped forward again, voice like steel: “But if anyone betrays me... you won’t just be slain.” He let the threat hang in the air, his growl sending a fresh wave of chills down their spines. --- Outside, the sky was beginning to pale with the light of dawn. All women and children had been evacuated to Irvine. Only the strong remained—men over the age of twenty-five, all standing in rigid formations before the city gates. Those capable of summoning their inner wolves took the front lines, their eyes glowing, bodies half-shifted and ready. Behind them stood the swordsmen. Archers and slingers took position at the rear, their weapons drawn. At the palace, King Ron and the remaining council members stood clad in armor. They formed a protective ring around the king on the high balcony, watching the city below. Then the howling began. Loud, echoing cries split the morning silence as the enemy surged forward, charging the gates with monstrous force. The battle had begun. Steel clashed against steel. War cries and screams filled the air. Arrows flew like rain. Wolves tore through men. Bodies dropped by the dozens, as death swept through the city like a storm. The battle raged on for weeks, fierce and bloody, fought by heavily armed and powerful men. Just when Ron and the Dremires believed they were gaining the upper hand, devastating news reached them—Irvine was under attack. In the palace: “How are the queen and children?” Ron asked the messenger. “They’re safe for now, but the Torehens are pushing into the city. We have few guards left.” “Your Majesty,” said Mr. Greston, kneeling, “the Torehens appear to be retreating.” “They’re heading for Irvine. It’s being sieged.” Greston stood quickly. “Then they’re after our families.” “Exactly. We must send reinforcements. We can’t risk our wives and children.” “I’ll take our strongest men tonight,” Greston promised. “Good. We end this now.” Little did they know—it was a trap. That night, Greston led the best soldiers away. With the capital weakened, the Torehens launched a surprise attack, backed by reinforcements. The Dremires were outnumbered and overrun. Ron was captured. Though Greston secured Irvine, the kingdom mourned when news of King Ron’s execution spread. Valenor declared himself king over the fallen Ezona—renaming it Thezis. He abandoned his wife and mother, despite their desperate attempts to reach him. Greston rose as leader of the resistance. From then on, the Torehens could not break their spirit... Until a rare occurrence took place—one that changed everything. ,