The first wave crashed against us like a tidal wave of steel and flesh. The clash of weapons rang through the air, a deafening symphony of war. I leapt from my horse, landing in the thick of the fight, my sword carving through the first man who dared to challenge me. Blood sprayed across my armor, but I had no time to register it. Another came. And another.
I fought like a beast unchained, each swing of my blade tearing through the enemy ranks. But the sun loomed high above, and with each movement, my strength drained faster than it should. Sweat dripped down my face, but the heat beneath my skin was far worse. My breath came shorter, my vision blurred at the edges.
Then came the fire.
A flaming arrow struck the earth beside me, igniting the dry grass. The fire spread fast, roaring to life in the battlefield's chaos. My body seized. The heat licked at my skin even from a distance, and my knees buckled for just a moment.
No. Not now.
I forced myself to move, gritting my teeth as pain surged from the curse mark on my chest. I had trained for this. I had been through worse. I could not allow the enemy to see me falter.
A soldier lunged at me, sensing my weakness. He was fast. But I was faster.
I drove my sword into his gut, twisting it before wrenching it free. He crumpled. I turned, raising my blade just in time to block an incoming axe strike. The impact rattled through my bones.
I needed to end this. Now.