Dawn broke over the desolate expanse of Narn, casting a pale orange light over the snow-covered ruins of what was once the Dancing Lawn. Once a lush haven of beauty, the trees that had bordered the fields were now long gone, replaced by skeletal remains of stumps and patches of frozen dirt. The lawn, once vibrant with life, was now barren, a bleak stage for the battle that was about to unfold.
The two armies faced each other across the wasteland, their numbers vast yet uneven. On one side stood Kon Kaplan, the Wild Tiger, at the forefront of 200,000 Archen Land soldiers. Opposite them, Razik's forces stretched across the battlefield, numbering 400,000. The soldiers on both sides bristled with tension, their breaths visible in the frigid morning air.
Kon stood tall at the head of his army, his cape bearing the insignia of the Kaplan Clan flowing in the wind. At his sides hung his twin swords, Yirtici, their yellow edges gleaming faintly in the dim sunlight. His one good eye surveyed the opposing army with calm precision, his face unreadable. Behind him, his troops shuffled nervously, the weight of the upcoming clash bearing down on them.
The sound of hurried footsteps crunching through the snow broke the tense silence. A reptilian Tracient, an Özel ranked #30, ran up to Kon and saluted, his scales glistening with frost.
"General, did you succeed?" Kon asked, his voice steady.
"Yes, my Lord!" the scout replied, catching his breath. "The enemy's number is 400,000 strong. We are… outnumbered, sir."
Kon's lips pressed into a thin line. He exhaled slowly, letting his mana seep out around him in a faint yet palpable aura. The weight of his presence steadied the nervous ranks behind him, their morale lifting as if by instinct.
"We may be outnumbered," Kon said, his voice firm, "but we are not outpowered."
Before the scout could respond, a deep, resonant horn sounded from Razik's army. Its call echoed across the battlefield, a grim signal of the battle to come.
"That's the call," the scout muttered.
Kon glanced at his army, his gaze lingering briefly on the scout. His expression softened just slightly, and he gave a small, confident smile. "Do your best, General. In Asalan's name, victory shall be ours today."
The scout swallowed hard, saluted, and stepped back into formation.
With measured steps, Kon began to walk forward, leaving his army behind as he approached the enemy lines. The frost crunched beneath his feet as his aura grew heavier with each step.
From the opposing side, Razik emerged from his ranks, his own mana aura flaring as he approached. His twisted grin betrayed the sadistic joy he found in the confrontation, and the sheer force of his presence made several of his own soldiers falter.
The two Hazëls met in the middle of the battlefield, the air around them shimmering under the weight of their combined auras. The tension was suffocating. Even from a distance, soldiers on both sides felt the oppressive weight of the power radiating from the two warriors.
The scout, still in his position behind Kon's lines, wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. So this is the power of a Hazël…
The silence between the two was broken by Razik's sneering voice. "So, the cub finally becomes a tiger," he drawled, his tone dripping with mockery.
Kon's face remained stoic, betraying no emotion. "Hello, Razik. It's been quite a while since we last met. You haven't changed a single bit."
"Ah! But you have changed much, cub. Or should I say… Lord Kaplan now?"
At this, Kon's aura pulsed faintly, his presence becoming sharper, more focused. His voice lowered, the steel in his tone unmistakable. "Indeed, things have changed. And this… is just the beginning."
Razik's grin widened, his crooked teeth bared in twisted delight. He's developed a presence that could rival mine, Razik thought. If I weren't a Hazël myself, I'd be shaking in my boots. This will be fun.
"Well, I suppose this whole charade is about reclaiming Narn once and for all, isn't it? Too bad for you, cub. You're outnumbered, outmatched, and out of your depth. Your dreams and your life will finally end here today. This ends here."
Kon's hand moved slowly to one of the hilts of his twin swords. The faint sound of the blade sliding free of its scabbard cut through the tension. His good eye fixed on Razik with unwavering determination.
"I agree with one thing you said," Kon replied. "This ends here."
With that, they charged at each other, their movements blindingly fast.
BOOOM!!!
The instant their weapons clashed, an immense shockwave erupted, shaking the earth beneath them and sending a burst of wind through the battlefield. Snow and dirt flew into the air, obscuring the view of the two warriors locked in combat.
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From a ledge overlooking the battlefield, a white-furred fox Tracient stood draped in a pristine coat. His icy bluish-purple eyes gleamed with faint amusement as he observed the chaos below. Standing just behind him, cloaked in shadows, was an indistinct figure whose face was obscured. To his right, Jarik, the ever-smiling rabbit Tracient, leaned casually against a rock, twirling a thin blade between his fingers.
"Is everything ready?" the fox asked, his voice smooth and calm.
Jarik¹'s grin widened, his sharp teeth catching the light. "Yes, my Lord. Everything is ready and going according to plan."
The fox nodded, his gaze never leaving the battle. The faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he murmured, "Then let us see how the game unfolds."