The Devouring Knight

Krivex narrowed his eyes. He knew this fight couldn't be handled while leading at the same time.

"Gobo1!" Krivex shouted. "I'll leave the archers to you. I'll be back after a while."

"Alright!" the goblin replied without hesitation, rallying the units as Krivex slung his bow across his shoulder.

The moment he stepped forward, the enemy commander loosed an arrow. Krivex's hand snapped up, his own string twanging in the same breath. The arrows clashed midair, splintering with a sharp crack.

So it began.

Krivex loosed another arrow, his bowstring snapping like thunder. The enemy commander answered instantly, his own arrow meeting Krivex's midair with a sharp crack that sent splinters flying.

Neither paused. They moved in a blur, arrows flashing back and forth, each shot faster than the last. The ground between them was littered with broken shafts, the air ringing with the sharp hiss of arrows slicing past.

The commander suddenly lunged forward, blade flashing as he closed the distance. Krivex dropped his bow to his side, his dagger flashing up just in time to deflect the strike.

Krivex backstepped, bow already rising. He fired three arrows in a blink. The commander twisted, his cloak whipping as two missed, the third grazing his shoulder. Snarling, the man rolled and answered with a shot of his own, the arrow skimming Krivex's cheek and drawing a thin line of blood.

They circled, breathing hard, then loosed again, arrows screaming, blades ready to clash when the distance broke.

To the soldiers watching, it was no simple fight. It was as if two storms had met, colliding head-on, swift and merciless.

…

Skarn, Aren, and Krivex, each had met their commander opponent.

Against seasoned commanders, they were at a disadvantage in controlling their rising power.

But they were no ordinary fighters.

All three were mages as well, their elements hidden until the moment of need. And unlike most commanders, they had honed their bodies through cultivation, their resilience and strength far surpassing what their opponents expected.

…..

On another battlefield where Skitz and Shade took charge, the air suddenly grew heavier. Four powerful and suffocating auras pressed down on them. From the enemy's side, four commanders slowly stepped forward, each mounted on towering beasts armored in steel.

Skitz stopped mid-swing, his daggers still dripping with blood. His lips curled into a frown.

"This isn't right," he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "The others only get to fight one… and we get four? That's just unfair."

Still, he spun his daggers between his fingers and looked at his partner.

"This is going to be a tough one, Shade. Hold on until I finish mine, I'll come help you."

Shade, raised his front legs and clicked his mandibles in answer, his many eyes glowing with resolve.

Without delay, Skitz barked his orders.

"Vakk! You take command of the hunters. Keep pressing the enemy from range, don't let them breathe!"

Vakk gave a sharp nod, already rallying the hunter squads with sharp whistles and hand signals.

Shade also clicked toward Lunira. The large wolf understood at once, guiding the wolves and the lizardmen into formation.

And then, the four commanders arrived.

The ground trembled as they halted in front of Skitz and Shade. One carried a massive hammer, another gripped a wide, brutal sword with dents that told of countless battles.

The third twirled sleek daggers in his hands, his movements sharp and precise, while the fourth rested two curved blades against his shoulders with casual ease.

Skitz let out a laugh, unable to hold it back.

"That's one hell of an entrance," he said with a grin. "But fine, let's dance."

At once, the battle exploded.

Shade lunged first, his legs stabbing into the ground as he pounced at the hammer-wielding commander. Sparks flew when chitin met steel. But before he could follow up, the greatsword commander charged from the side, his strike forcing Shade back.

"Hah! Too slow, beast!" the hammer commander barked, pressing forward.

"I'll crack that shell open and wear your hide as a trophy!" the greatsword commander roared, swinging down with brutal force.

Shade hissed, spinning webs to slow their movements, but against two commanders, it was clear he was at a disadvantage. Their combined power rattled his armored body, each blow shaking the ground beneath him.

Meanwhile, Skitz darted into motion. His body blurred as he clashed with the dagger commander, their strikes so fast they looked like flashing sparks in the air.

"Fast little rat," the dagger commander sneered, blades snapping out in a flurry.

Skitz had the edge in speed, slipping around attacks with his slippery footwork. But just as he aimed for a killing strike, the dual-blade commander intercepted, steel clashing hard and forcing him to disengage.

"Tch, annoying," Skitz spat, twisting his body just as the twin curved blades slashed past his chest.

The two commanders pressed him without pause, one striking high while the other swept low. Their rhythm was flawless, when one attacked, the other guarded; when one drew back, the other lunged in.

"Stay on him!" one barked, his voice cutting through the chaos.

"He won't slip away this time," the other growled back, eyes sharp and cold.

Steel rang again and again. Skitz's daggers flicked and spun, catching blades by the edge, sliding them aside, always a hair's breadth from being carved open. Sparks snapped as he forced one strike wide, only for the second commander to crash in from the side, forcing him to duck.

But even cornered, his grin never faded. Sweat dripped from his jaw, his eyes glinting with thrill.

"Guess I'll have to put in some real effort today."

"Cocky bastard," one commander hissed, shoving forward with brutal force.

Skitz lunged, daggers darting. One commander twisted, barely avoiding a cut to the throat, while the other slammed his blade down to parry. The ground around them was shredded with their clashes, grass sliced to nothing.

Shade fought nearby, barely keeping the pressure of two enemies from overwhelming him, while Skitz spun and darted like lightning. Every step was a blur, every strike a gamble against the commanders' perfect coordination.

…..

On another battlefield, Liraeth stood tall as she led her soldiers. Her twin swords was drawn, yet her sharp eyes were always moving, scanning the chaos.

When her gaze fell toward where Skitz and Shade were fighting, her heart tightened. Shade's massive frame was already bleeding from cracks in his armor-like shell, and Skitz, though fast, was being cornered by two relentless foes.

"They can't keep this up for long…" she muttered under her breath.

Beside her stood her most trusted knights, Gordon with his heavy shield and sword, and Sorrin with his sword. Both men waited for her command, watching her with silent determination.

Liraeth turned to them.

"Gordon, Sorrin, go. Aid Skitz and Shade. Hold the line with them until they can break free."

"As you command, Lady Liraeth!"

The two knights bowed their heads once.

At once, they sprinted and charged. Soldiers cleared a path as the two knights raced toward the desperate fight, their presence like a sudden gust of hope.