The sun had not fully risen when General Kael and General Yuvan departed the palace with the main army. A procession of fully armed soldiers crowded the capital's main road, warhorses neighing as if sensing this was no ordinary patrol.
Kael led the way, clad in silver armor that was light yet strong, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He brought with him five thousand soldiers skilled in defense and siege tactics. His goal was clear: Fort Valnor, Korasium's last line of defense in the north, must be reinforced before Livasol launched their attack.
Behind him, Yuvan led the elite cavalry. His massive frame was striking atop a pitch-black steed, and on his back, the legendary spear—Rudgar—gleamed under the morning sun.
"Prepare yourselves, soldiers of Korasium!" he shouted boldly. "We are not only guarding this land—we are protecting the honor of our ancestral tribes!"
Fort Valnor stood firm atop a stony hill. Its walls were high, guarded by arrow towers, and only accessible via a narrow winding path. Though strong, the number of troops stationed there was not enough to withstand a full-scale assault from Livasol's ten thousand soldiers.
Inside the throne room, King Leinhart looked northward from a tall balcony. Queen Diana stood silently beside him.
"Kael will hold them with his cunning," said the king. "And Yuvan will be the spear that strikes first if war breaks out."
Queen Diana gazed at the sky. "May the ancestors be with them... and may this war not cost us more than we can bear."
In the distance, the sound of war drums echoed faintly. But each beat seemed to mark the dwindling time toward the inevitable day: the day when blood would be spilled in the north.
The large force led by General Kael and General Yuvan slowly passed through the main route that crossed southern Korasium. They moved through wide grasslands, small hills, and several villages rarely touched by palace affairs. Among those villages was a place called Tondon.
Villagers stepped out of their homes, lining the dusty roads to witness the passing army. Children ran alongside, shouting with excitement at the sight of horses, royal banners fluttering, and the synchronized march of soldiers.
Among them stood a twelve-year-old boy, thin yet bright-eyed with unquenchable curiosity. He stood tall, gazing deeply at the two generals as they passed before him.
Bima couldn't take his eyes off them.
Kael looked calm and authoritative, intelligence shining from his gaze. Yuvan, in contrast, was imposing and sturdy, like a mountain walking on horseback. These two figures etched themselves into Bima's memory—like the heroes from bedtime tales told by Pak Tanu.
As the army moved farther away, Bima glanced around. No one was watching him. Quickly, he lifted his basket and slipped behind the bushes, quietly following the army from a distance.
He knew this was crazy. He knew Pak Tanu would be furious. But something in his heart whispered:
If I want to become a general, this is my chance to learn from the best.
A narrow path behind the hill brought him closer to the troops. Occasionally, he hid behind trees or crouched when scouts rode past. His heart pounded, but he didn't stop.
He didn't know where they were going or what lay ahead. But one thing was certain: his journey had just begun.