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Roza chortled, looking over the battlefield. “That’s ridiculous.”
Raenisa answered without taking her eyes off of the advancing enemy. “Theron will give our troops a quick speech to get them ready to fight and then they’ll advance in formation when the horns sound. Caelia’s forces didn’t bother preparing their position, so it shouldn’t be long.”
“Oh. That’s not too—“
A drum began, and Raenisa swore. “Unless that happens.”
Caelia’s soldiers started advancing, their lines holding steady in the middle and wavering toward the edges.
Roza drew her sword, a wicked grin on her face. “They’re waiting to get picked off. Come on, Kael.”
Drawing a deep breath, I focused on the terrain ahead. Boulders and rocks were scattered about just under the surface, beckoning to be commanded by my magic. My hand itched for my sword and its familiar weight. I touched my necklace, nerves twisting my stomach in knots. I wasn’t as comfortable using celestial metals to fight as I was using my blades, and the idea of relying on Roza and Raenisa to protect me only made it worse.
I’d told Theron that I could do this, and he’d trusted them to keep me safe. He’d wanted to send Herrath and Zerek too, but I’d talked him out of it. He needed them to hold the line. Haemir and Gavril were leading the rebels, guarding the left flank in case the ranks broke toward the trail. I glanced over there, wishing they were closer.
Feeling Roza’s eyes on me, I turned to see her shifting from one foot to the other. “If you’re planning on doing something, I’d suggest you start soon.”
“I’ll be right behind you. Do whatever you can to slow their advance,” Raenisa said, drawing a massive war hammer.
Steeling myself, I reached out with my magic, feeling the earth respond. With a deep shout, I wrenched a huge boulder from the ground, directing it towards the opposing army. As it flew, cutting a swath through the sky, the world seemed to pause. And then, with a deafening crash, the battle began.
Amidst the dust and chaos, Theron’s voice cut through the din, strong and resolute. “Stand tall! Stay together!” Our soldiers locked shields, marching in tight formation.
Down the bond, I felt his certainty. It wasn’t just confidence; it was conviction—a steadfast belief that we would emerge victorious. I embraced that belief, letting it fill me as I pulled more power.
Everywhere, the once-calm landscape was transformed as the armies slammed into each other. The air was thick with the cacophony of battle; shouts of warriors, the jarring impact of metal on metal, and the mesmerizing dances of both weapon and magic. I was hidden on the right side, close to the flank, pulling boulders and flinging them into their ranks, taking out their archers.
Raw energy rushed within me, pulsing and powerful, like a storm ready to be unleashed. I spun as I yanked a line of earth down, causing the other army to stumble and fall in my newly created trench.
Another boulder hurtled through the sky, its shadow darkening the ground before crashing into Theron’s front lines, devastation in its wake.
Xadrian.
So much for not participating.
Rage filled me and the very earth seemed to quake in response to my magic, echoing the rhythm of the battle.
I yanked, creating holes that sucked men into the ground, their screams cutting off as soil fell on top of them.
More enemy forces came, pushing forward, but always edging toward the rebel line. The remnants weren’t as physically strong as the elves, unable to use the same formations. They were better suited to ambushes and small sorties. If they broke through the line, they’d be able to rout us. Not only that, but they knew Haemir and Gavril were there. No doubt Xadrian told Caelia all about us.
Caelia’s army surged ahead, undeterred by the destruction. Our soldiers flooded past me, holding the line, with Roza shoving them out of the way if they ventured too close to us. I held firm, focusing my energy on protecting the rebel line. Boulders flew from my hands like missiles, my necklace shining like a beacon. Arrows rained down on us and Raenisa held up a shield over my head, protecting me.
“Shit, Haemir!” Roza screamed, and I looked over to see my father, surrounded by three Elven warriors as he spun, his war hammer in his one hand, as he fought them.
“Dad!” I screamed, sending a wave toward them that rippled and tore apart the earth. The battlefield shook, soldiers on both sides losing their footing as more magic flooded from me. I yanked it open, ripping and tearing until the gap had turned into a small canyon, too large and unstable for the elves to breach. Haemir and Gavril fought off his attackers, forcing them back into the crevasse I’d created.
“Cetena’s scales,” Roza whispered. The rebels fell back, no doubt worried about the stability of the ground, and I searched for my father and brother in the chaos. Where were they?
The air vibrated with magic as Xadrian’s power built, a challenge to mine. But as our powers clashed, a realization dawned on me—I had the upper hand. Every surge he sent, every wave of energy he tried to harness, was met and overwhelmed by my magic. I was an ocean to his pond, and it was time I showed him what he’d taught me.
I pushed more power into the soil, turning it into a vibrating mass that sank the enemy soldiers to their knees. A cheer went up on our side, a thrill running down the bond, and I pulled harder, determined to win.
I could do this. For Theron, for my family, I could do anything. A familiar face appeared amidst the fray, barreling through the line with a war cry.
Caelia, in all her regal, fearsome glory, bore down upon me, Endbringer drawn. Before I could react, Raenisa was there, positioning herself between me and the oncoming warrior.
“Roza!” She yelled without looking away from Caelia. “Protect Kael!”
