The metallic clank of the black-armored figure's approach cut through the chaos of the village, their glowing blade pulsing with the same eerie green light as the Order of the Veil's staffs. Elias Vaeron crouched in the burned stable, his frail, six-year-old body aching, the crude musket with its makeshift bayonet gripped tightly in his blood-streaked hands. His pale face, smudged with soot and scarred by an arrow graze on his left cheek, was set with defiance, his steel-gray eyes flecked with amber locked on the new threat. The Dominion Interface blazed in his vision: Unknown Mechanism: Black-Armored Figure. Arcane Signature: High. Threat Level: Unknown.
The non-human entity, its obsidian-scaled hide glinting and red eyes glowing, thrashed in the village well, its claws tearing at the stone rim but unable to break free. House Taryn's green-armored cavalry, led by Lord Edric Taryn, battled the imperial vanguard's lances, their golden stag banners bloodied but standing. The Order of the Veil's white-cloaked leader, their gaunt face pale and silver hair singed, raised their cracked staff, their green eyes blazing with fury. Lady Seline Kaelar, her silver armor dented and blonde hair matted, stood firm with her two riders, their spears ready. Mira, her freckled face smudged and auburn braid frayed, clutched her bloodied dagger beside Elias, her brown eyes fierce despite her bandaged arm. The three remaining militia, their faces gaunt and swords rusted, held a shaky line, their loyalty to Elias unwavering despite their losses.
The interface flashed: Vaeron Relic: Arcane Amplifier—Elias's blood, the key to this escalating war. The black-armored figure's blade suggested a connection to the Veil, but their armor bore no sigil, no allegiance. Elias's mind, honed by his past life's battles, churned through tactics—divide, misdirect, survive. The stable's oil-soaked entrance, rigged by Mira, was their last defense, but the forest outskirts offered cover if they could escape.
"Lord Edric!" Elias shouted, his voice raw but commanding. "That blade's with the Veil! Hit them now, or we're all dead!"
Edric, his weathered face framed by gray-streaked hair and a trimmed beard, turned his hazel eyes on Elias, his green plate armor scratched but gleaming. "You push your luck, Vaeron," he called, but he raised his sword, signaling his cavalry. "Taryn! On the black armor!" His riders pivoted, their lances crashing into the figure, who parried with their glowing blade, sparks flying.
The interface updated: House Taryn: Engaged. Status: Ally (Unstable). Elias seized the moment. "Seline, light the trap! Mira, cover the rear!" Seline struck a flint, igniting the oil at the stable's entrance, flames roaring to block the Veil's advance. Mira darted to the back, her wiry frame tense as she scanned for flankers.
The black-armored figure moved with unnatural speed, their helm obscuring their face, their blade slicing through a Taryn lance like paper. The interface tagged: Combat Ability: Elite. Arcane Enhancement: Confirmed. Elias's heart pounded—this was no ordinary warrior. The Veil's leader chanted, their staff pulsing, amplifying the figure's blade, green light flaring with each strike.
Elias's burned arm throbbed, the blistered skin screaming as he raised the musket. The interface pinged: Tactics (Level 1): Target arcane source to disrupt coordination. The Veil's leader was the key—break their chant, and the figure might falter. "Seline!" he shouted. "Hit their leader! Now!"
Seline's riders charged, their spears aimed at the white-cloaked figure. The leader's staff flared, a green shield deflecting one spear, but the scarred-jaw rider's thrust grazed their side, drawing blood. The chant stuttered, the black-armored figure pausing, their blade dimming. The interface flashed: Veil Arcane Output: Reduced by 25%.
The beast in the well roared, its barbed tail lashing, cracking the rim further. The interface warned: Entity Escape Probability: 60%. Elias's mind raced—his incendiary bolt had hurt it, but not enough. The forest was their only chance, but the black-armored figure blocked the path.
"Mira, the rope!" Elias said, pointing to a coil in the stable's corner. She grabbed it, her freckled face pale but determined, and helped Elias rig a tripwire across the rear exit. The interface estimated: Trap Success Probability: 50%. Crude, but it could slow the figure.
The imperial vanguard, led by Valthar's gold-trimmed helm, pressed Taryn's flank, their cavalry's lances drawing blood. The interface updated: Taryn Losses: 2 cavalry. Vanguard Morale: High. Elias cursed under his breath—too many enemies, too little time.
He scanned the stable, spotting a rusted pitchfork. The interface pinged: Legacy Protocol: Unlocked. Blueprint Available—Musket Scattershot. A wide-spread round, using scrap metal instead of a single ball, ideal for close quarters. He had no powder, but the well's alchemical residue might suffice. "Mira, check the well again—any vials or powder!"
Mira scrambled to the rim, returning with a cracked vial, its green glow faint but usable. Elias packed the residue into the musket, adding metal shards from the pitchfork. His hands shook, blood seeping from his burned arm, but his soldier's instincts drove him. The interface estimated: Construction Time: 45 seconds.
The black-armored figure broke through Taryn's line, their blade felling a rider. They turned toward the stable, their helm's visor glinting, as if sensing Elias's blood. The Veil's leader chanted again, their silver hair whipping as their staff pulsed, empowering the figure.
Elias finished the scattershot, loading it into the musket. "Seline, draw them in!" Her riders taunted the figure, their spears jabbing, luring them toward the stable's burning entrance. The figure charged, triggering the tripwire. The rope snapped, dropping a beam, but the figure rolled, their blade slashing the wood apart.
Elias raised the musket, aiming at the figure's chest. The scattershot roared, metal shards spraying, striking their armor. The figure staggered, green sparks erupting, but they didn't fall. The interface flashed: Enemy Damage: Moderate. Mobility Reduced.
The beast broke free, its claws tearing from the well, its red eyes fixed on Elias. The Veil's leader laughed, their voice a hiss. "Your blood calls it, Vaeron. You cannot escape."
Elias's vision blurred, pain and exhaustion overwhelming his frail body. The interface pinged: Leadership (Level 1): Inspire allies to boost morale. "Seline! Mira!" he shouted, his voice raw. "To the forest! We hold there!"
They ran, the militia covering their retreat, their swords clashing with the vanguard's lances. The stable burned behind them, the flames slowing the black-armored figure. Taryn's forces fought the Veil, their numbers dwindling but holding. The forest's edge loomed, its trees dense and dark, offering cover.
The interface mapped: Forest Terrain: High cover. Defensive Potential: Strong. Elias directed his group behind a cluster of oaks, their roots tangled with frost. "Mira, rig a trap—branches, anything sharp." She nodded, scavenging twigs and stones, her braid bouncing as she worked.
Seline's riders formed a line, their spears ready. The militia, now two, fought with desperate fury. Elias gripped the musket, its bayonet his only weapon. The black-armored figure emerged, their blade glowing, the Veil's leader behind them, their staff pulsing.
The beast charged, its scales glinting, its claws tearing trees. The interface screamed: Entity Proximity: 10 meters. Elias's mind raced—he needed a weapon, a plan. The Arcane Pulse Grenade blueprint lingered, but he had no materials.
And then a new sound—a low, resonant hum from the forest's depths. The interface flashed: Arcane Source: Unknown. Signature: Relic Resonance. A faint glow pulsed in the trees, matching the rhythm of Elias's heartbeat.