The Third Prince Of Darkness

Two Weeks Later

In the darkness of the night, the enemy camp was silent and dimly lit. The Thaerd army seemed at ease in their vast plain encampment. However, this ease had left them at their most vulnerable. Days of feigned retreats and sudden raids had worn them out and created the perfect moment for victory.

"The enemy has let their guard down," I whispered to Duke Grohandal. As I reviewed the ambush points we had marked on the map one more time, I noticed the growing impatience among my soldiers. These past two weeks of strategic attacks—cutting off supply lines, ambushing patrols, and breaking morale—were finally about to bear fruit.

"We will strike the enemy camp tonight," I announced, surrounded by my commanders. "Our fire mages will target their most vulnerable points. Archers will take positions on the high ground. Once the attack begins, no one escapes."

Duke Grohandal frowned hesitantly. "Your Majesty, an assault of this magnitude could annihilate the enemy's entire army, but our losses could be severe."

My eyes drifted to the map, tracing the enemy's positions. "This is a risk we must take," I said resolutely. "We need a swift and decisive victory. This triumph will erase the fear weighing on our people and rebuild their confidence."

Grohandal took a deep breath and nodded, retreating to relay the orders to the other commanders. I remained at the map a while longer, replaying every possibility in my mind as I visualized the plan. Tonight, everything would change. Instead of a prolonged battle, I wanted a swift, definitive victory.

I also needed to return to the capital without delay to prepare for any potential attack from Liam. For that reason, I cared little about how dishonorable or ethically questionable this battle was. All I desired was an absolute, undeniable victory.

Darkness had completely enveloped the night. The faint lights emanating from the enemy camp revealed the weariness of their soldiers, who seemed unprepared for any assault. This bolstered our advantage even further. Infantry and archers took their positions. Fire mages were stationed at ambush points, ready to unleash the first wave of chaos in the camp.

As a fire flare shot into the sky, the enemy camp was instantly engulfed in flames. The explosions and ensuing screams threw their ranks into complete disarray. Meanwhile, we advanced in utter silence.

With fire magic illuminating my sword, I led the charge. Entering the camp, I struck down stunned and unprepared enemy soldiers with lightning-fast blows. I gave them no quarter. Every move I made was calculated to end this battle swiftly. Charging through the front lines, I aimed to conclude the fight before the Thaerd army could comprehend what was happening.

As I advanced toward the heart of the Thaerd camp, my soldiers surrounded me, cutting down enemies. Each one executed their orders with precision, ensuring no one escaped, whether they fled or resisted.

The light of my swords sealed the fate of every enemy I struck. As I neared the camp's center, I encountered more organized resistance. Thaerd officers, flanked by a handful of elite soldiers, tried to encircle me. But their efforts were nothing more than a waste of time.

With hundreds of soldiers protecting me and an army of twenty thousand attacking the Thaerd military camp, chaos reigned everywhere—but it was the chaos I had orchestrated.

When one officer lunged at me, I parried his blade and delivered a swift counterstrike. I then used air magic to propel myself a few steps away, landing in the midst of the remaining officers. Each of my movements targeted their weaknesses, rendering them helpless.

When I reached the command tent at the center of the camp, the sounds of weapons clashing and shouting abruptly ceased. Inside, I found enemy commanders huddled around a table, frantically arguing. As they noticed me, they recoiled in fear.

"You were not expecting me, weren't you?" I said in a cold tone. The light from my swords cast eerie reflections across the tent. One commander stammered, his voice trembling.

"This is a massacre! This isn't war—this is—"

"This is victory," I interrupted sharply.

Without hesitation, I launched my attack. A brief skirmish ensued inside the tent, and one by one, the enemy commanders fell. The leadership of the Thaerd army had been eradicated.

Now, it was time to find Thaerd himself. I needed to kill him with my own hands to ensure he would never rise as a threat again.

Emerging from the command tent after neutralizing the enemy commanders, I was met with the blazing chaos of the night. Screams, the clash of weapons, and the echoes of magic reverberated throughout the camp. Yet, there was still no sign of Thaerd himself.

Duke Grohandal approached, out of breath, with information. "Your Majesty, Thaerd's main tent is likely in the northwest. It's heavily guarded. We believe he's there."

"I will handle it," I declared firmly. I preferred to risk my own life than that of my soldiers. "You ensure order in the rest of the camp. Let no enemy escape."

As I moved toward the northwest, I effortlessly crushed any resistance in my path. My sword, glowing with fire, lit up the terror-stricken faces of the enemies I struck down. Thaerd's soldiers no longer fought in unison; panic consumed them, making my task easier.

Upon reaching the main tent, I found it surrounded by heavily armored guards—Thaerd's elite. But they could not stop me.
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Gripping my sword tightly, I took a deep breath. The main tent stood before me, imposing and resolute. I summoned the power of all four elements within me: the fury of fire, the freedom of air, the fluidity of water, and the unyielding strength of earth. Together, they granted me unparalleled power.

As the guards noticed me, they raised their shields and drew their weapons. Without hesitation, I attacked. I melted one guard's shield with fire magic and sent another flying with a gust of wind before he could strike. Mid-air, I summoned the earth to rise beneath their feet, impaling them with sharp rocks.

While one guard burned, I lashed another with water as sharp as a whip, cutting him down. The air carried me nimbly between them, and the earth transformed every step I took into a deadly threat. My unleashed power filled them with terror.

When the last guard fell, the path to the main tent was clear. I sheathed my swords and stepped through the entrance. Inside, Thaerd stood before a throne-like chair, his face a mixture of rage and despair.

The moment I saw him, a surge of adrenaline coursed through me. As our eyes met, I could see the helplessness and barely concealed fury in his expression. He seemed ready to challenge me, but behind his facade, I could sense the stench of defeat.

Gripping my sword tightly, I stepped forward, my gaze locked on his every move. I was determined not to miss a single detail.

Thaerd reached for the massive sword beside the throne-like chair. As if wanting to turn every move into an exaggerated display, he slowly lifted the blade and pointed it skyward. "Come on then," he said with cold mockery. "Do you think you can defeat me so easily?"

For a moment, I didn't reply. I knew the silence would carve itself into his mind, more powerful than any words. Then I began to approach slowly, the light of my swords reflecting off the tent walls and pressing down on him with every step.

"You've already lost. I'm just speeding up your end. Look around, brother," I said, my voice steady and sharp. "In a single night, you're losing everything without even putting up an honorable fight."

I fixed my gaze on his face, flushed with anger, as my words sank in.

The moment I finished speaking, Thaerd lunged at me. He was fast, but his speed was familiar, predictable. As he swung his sword, I could sense his intended target. I stepped back, dodging the blow, and sent a gust of wind his way, throwing him off balance.

His second strike came stronger and more determined, but I was ready. I blocked his attack with my sword and unleashed a burst of fire, engulfing the area around his blade in flames. Forced to retreat, Thaerd pulled his weapon back, but I swiftly moved in, delivering a blow that knocked him off balance.

When his sword slipped from his hand and fell to the ground, I saw it as only a fleeting victory. His eyes, filled with a mix of rage and desperation, met mine. In that moment, I resolved to leave him no glimmer of hope. There would be only one victor tonight, and it would be me.

Thaerd let out a furious roar and charged at me once more. Using air magic, he hurled a gust of wind in my direction. I raised my arms to shield myself, countering his attack by summoning a wall of earth to absorb the impact. With my sword firmly in hand, I took a step forward.

I lunged at him again, gripping my sword with both hands and striking with force. He dodged using the speed of the wind, slipping past me. But as he reappeared behind me, he made the mistake I had been waiting for—he overextended, losing control of his momentum.

I seized the opportunity without hesitation. Summoning a wave of air, I slammed him to the ground. Then, using earth magic, I caused sharp rocks to rise beneath his hands and feet, pinning him in place. Thaerd writhed in fury, struggling against the spikes that held him down.

"Is that all you've got?" I asked mockingly.

Thaerd, breathing heavily, glared at me. For a fleeting moment, I saw a shadow of fear cross his face. "You son of bitch! You didn't play by the rules!"

"I make the rules of war," I replied coldly. Channeling fire through my sword, I directed the flames toward the spikes that held him. The earth erupted into fire, and Thaerd screamed, his voice echoing with pure desperation.

With one last roar of defiance, Thaerd hurled himself toward me, but his cry was cut short. I brought my sword down swiftly, driving it straight into his heart. His eyes widened momentarily before they closed, lifeless. His Blood trickled from my blade to the ground, and in that moment, I felt the certainty of victory.

Pulling my sword free, I flicked off the blood and turned away. The light of the flames outside seeped through the tent entrance, illuminating my path like a beacon of triumph. Without a second glance at Thaerd's lifeless body, I stepped outside.

"This war is over," I said softly, but my words carried enough weight to echo in the chaos of the night. "I am the winner..."