(Third-person perspective)
In the tense atmosphere of the tent, Yohn Royce's voice broke the silence. "Didn't you say they were already on their way? Why have they taken so long?" The knight captain, reviewing the reconnaissance report, replied cautiously, "Sir, it seems they are setting up camp today and will begin their march tomorrow."
One advisor proposed a night raid strategy. However, the Knights Commander quickly rejected the idea. "I don't recommend it, as it would reveal our location." Another advisor worried about the Druid's ability to control animals and whether he already knew of their presence. The reply was, "We will shoot down any birds we see, even if he can see through them. What he sees should only be our scouts."
The Vale lords were unaware that their confidence in fighting the Druid was misplaced. They were oblivious to the Druid ' unique abilities: Familiar Wave and Erebus. These creatures could soar through the air, almost indistinguishable from the sky itself. Even if discovered, approaching them with any conventional weapon would be an impossible feat.
Aermir silently observed his Ranger company traversing the challenging mountain terrain, their figures gradually reaching their designated destination. Satisfied with their progress, he signaled for the other troops to follow.
The army flowed down the valley like a ceaseless river. Their disciplined formations moved through the undulating terrain, the rhythmic clatter of their boots echoing in the air. The valley was wide enough for 50 men to walk side by side, but for any unsuspecting army, it was still a death Trap.
As the army crossed the valley, Aermir's wary eyes scanned the surroundings through the air. He could see Osric riding his armored Sith. The Sith obeyed him obediently, not for pleasure, but for strategic reasons, yet she still incessantly complained about how weak Osric was and how everything he did was wrong. She constantly threatened his life.
"Master, if this bastard makes me pause again, I'll rip his legs off. He should just stand there looking cool. I'll finish all the killing and fighting."
After calming Sith, Aermir turned his attention to the valley. Flying over the valley, Aermir meticulously planned an ambush on the Vale's soldiers.
His rangers lay in ambush about 600 meters behind Vale Vale soldiers, who were completely unaware of the impending attack. Aermir observed the preparations on the hillside, noticing the carefully arranged rocks on the valley slope—a clever maneuver to create confusion during the ambush. He used Jory and Harrick to summon the lords back, ensuring their safety behind the army. As they entered the valley, Aermir performed a ritual, summoning Fog to himself. Visibility was truly poor for the Vale soldiers.
Arrows rained down, and boulders thundered on the hillside, shattering the tranquility of the valley. At the start of the battle, Aermir ordered his men to let out agonizing screams; the Vale soldiers, hearing the cries, thought the ambush had succeeded, but his men retreated just in time, avoiding the boulders. Approximately 100 of the North Lord's soldiers were killed, and 300 were wounded by arrows. Lord Royce, believing the ambush successful, ordered an attack. The ensuing clash between the two armies devolved into a chaotic vortex.
Aermir's rangers, precise and swift, launched their attack after the first volley, sweeping across the hillside and eliminating approximately 1,000 Vale archers from both sides. The greatshields and Aermir's healing magic minimized the losses of the North Lords' forces, enhancing their resilience against the onslaught. After healing the wounded and strengthening the Sword Saint, Aermir flew towards the enemy's main force.
Harrick and the "Sword Saint" cleaved through the enemy's defenses. After healing and buffing, Aermir had only a third of his magic power left, but he thought it was enough. He plunged into the battlefield, summoning Berus, Artio, and Im, and with the addition of Po and Erebus's swooping attacks, the chaotic battle continued. Within seconds, 180 Crow and a legion of ravens swarmed in.
Aermir touches the ground, summoning his elemental power.
Summon Medium Elemental
A humanoid figure formed from mud and rock appeared. Aermir strengthened his connection with the earth and cast:
"Incoinfra ( the Dwellers Below )"
Giant thorn roots erupted from all sides, severely injuring soldiers within a 20-meter radius. The number of casualties continued to rise, with the trampling caused by soldiers fleeing the spell resulting in nearly half of the casualties.
Artio, Berus, and Im created a death zone, diverting some attention from Aermir, as almost all the soldiers relentlessly targeted Aermir. Undeterred, he unleashed a spell...
"Poison Gas " (Narys Jelevre).
A colorless, thick fog spread forward, causing immense destruction; it looked like a water mist. Victims vomited uncontrollably, their eyes bled, and death followed one after another. Medium-sized earth elementals hurled small stones, further annihilating the enemy, but with each stone thrown, its size shrank a little.
Yohn Royce witnessed the massacre and attempted to rally his troops, but it was a one-sided slaughter. The Druid and their familiars alone claimed 2,000 lives. Royce resolved to lure more men to Aermir, intending to prove the Druid were not invincible. With each spell he cast, deathfire erupted from his hands. Flames, earth, and lightning rained down on the Vale army. Vale soldiers continued to die, but Lord Royce and the other Vale lords tried to rally their forces...
"Fight! Fight! If you run away, your families will be burned to death by the demons! Fight for the Light of the Seven! Fight for your families!!"
Realizing he needed a breather, Aermir retreated to the group of sword saints and quickly performed a ritual to enhance the spell's power. His magic was nearly depleted, but he still had some tricks up his sleeve.
" obtedȳñes ( Summon Animals )"
They summoned three enhanced bears and engaged in a fierce battle, expending only 20 mana to claim over 60 lives. As the final blow approached, Aermir transformed into an eagle, soaring over the rangers' encampment. Their fatal arrow had already claimed over 1,000 lives, leaving the Vale army with less than half its original strength.
Aermir drew strands of water element from the air, weaving them into another combination spell, this time a fusion of water and air. He expended 120 mana to cast it.
'Jelmōñe Jelmior: Prūmia Hen Sōnar (North Wind: Heart of Winter )'
As Aermir's incantation echoed through the valley, the North Wind: Heart of Winter spell unleashed an evil power upon the Vale's army. A massive mass of frozen air descended from the sky, and a frigid blizzard transformed the once-warm valley into a chilling nightmare.
The soldiers in the Vale were caught off guard by the sudden, unnatural cold, feeling the biting chill seep into their bones. Within minutes, the effects were apparent. Their fingers turned a sickly blue, and their limbs, exposed to the relentless cold, began to lose sensation. Frostbite was the cruel consequence of "Heart of Winter," and the condition progressed rapidly.
In the sweltering summer heat, the battlefield was shrouded in a chilling, ambiguous winter.
The spell wasn't cast immediately, but rather relentlessly channeled the frozen air, continuing until the caster's magic was exhausted or canceled. The Vale soldiers desperately clung to their frozen limbs, trying to resist the frost's onslaught. The once muddy terrain now bore the marks of frost, and the air was thick with a misty, ethereal atmosphere. Armor and weapons became cold and heavy; holding a sword or wearing armor felt like being scorched by ice and fire.