Far beyond the reach of the Forest of Twin Disasters...

Beyond the cursed waters, the roaring shadows, and the sealed horrors that lurked beneath ancient soil war was moving.

And for the first time...

It moved in the open.

The land stretched wide beneath a dim, overcast sky.

Rolling plains of dry grass bent under a cold wind, their whispers drowned beneath a far more dreadful sound.

Marching.

Hundreds, no, thousands. A sea of demons advanced in terrifying unison.

Their forms varied.

Some crawled on all fours like beasts.

Others walked upright, their twisted bodies armored in bone and chitin.

Some were massive, towering over the rest like walking siege weapons. Others were smaller, leaner—faster but they all shared one thing.

Purpose.

They moved not like a scattered horde... but like an army. Coordinated, disciplined, and controlled.

At the front, a small group walked ahead of the mass. Six humanoid figures.

Their movements were calm, measured, almost regal compared to the monstrous chaos behind them.

Their eyes glowed with intelligence.

With awareness.

With intent.

Captains.

The same rank that had begun organizing forces within the Forest of Twin Disasters.

But these...

These ones were not hiding.

Not hunting in silence.

They walked openly.

Boldly.

As if daring the world to see them.

One of them—a tall figure with dark, smooth skin etched with glowing crimson lines—stopped.

The army halted instantly behind it.

Not a single creature stepped out of place.

The wind howled across the plains.

The Captain lifted its head slightly.

Far in the distance, stone walls stood. A city.

Small by kingdom standards but filled with human lives.

Unaware of what was coming.

The Captain smiled faintly.

"So..."

Its voice carried easily through the air.

"This is one of them."

Another Captain stepped forward.

This one broader, its body wrapped in layered plates of hardened black armor.

"Scouts confirmed population."

A third spoke.

"Minimal high-grade defenders."

The first Captain nodded slowly.

"Perfect."

It turned slightly, looking back at the army behind them.

Thousands of demons were waiting in silence. Ready to attack and destroy at the command.

"This..." It gestured lightly toward the distant city. "...will be the beginning."

Inside the city though, life had continued as normal.

Until it didn’t.

A scout stood frozen atop the outer watchtower.

His breathing was uneven.

His hands trembled slightly as he stared into the distance.

At first, he had thought it was dust.

A storm.

Then he saw movement and shapes.

Then...

His blood ran cold. "...No..."

He staggered back slightly.

Then turned and grabbed the horn beside him.

He blew into it with everything he had.

The sound tore through the air.

Loud.

Urgent.

Desperate.

Within seconds, other horns answered.

Then more.

Then bells.

Alarms spread through the city like wildfire.

People stopped.

Turned.

Listened.

And then everywhere was filled with panic.

"Demon army!"

"TO THE WALLS!"

"MOVE!"

The streets erupted into chaos.

Civilians rushed to gather what they could.

Some ran toward shelters. Others toward inner districts.

Guards flooded the streets, shouting orders and directing movement.

They were maintaining what little order they could.

At the barracks soldiers were already moving.

Armor was strapped on. Weapons were grabbed. Shields raised.

There was no hesitation.

No delay.

They had trained for this.

They just hadn’t expected it.

Not like this.

Not an army.

At the center of the military district, a man stood fully armored, his expression grim.

This was the commander.

His gaze remained fixed toward the horizon beyond the walls.

"They confirmed it?"

A soldier beside him nodded.

"Yes, sir."

The Commander exhaled slowly.

"How many?"

The soldier hesitated.

"...Thousands."

Silence.

Then the Commander nodded once.

"Sound full mobilization."

"Yes, sir!"

The soldier ran.

The Commander turned.

"Prepare all units."

His voice rose.

"Archers to the walls."

"Infantry ready at the gates."

"Reserve squads remain inside until ordered." His eyes hardened. "We don’t let them breach."

Meanwhile, two large buildings stood near the center of the city.

Marked with the insignias of mercenary guilds.

Inside one of them, the atmosphere was tense.

Dozens of mercenaries stood, gearing up.

Weapons were checked.

Armor tightened.

A large man slammed his fist against the table.

"Finally..."

A grin spread across his face.

"Been a while since we’ve had a real fight."

Another mercenary scoffed.

"Thousands of demons isn’t a fight."

A third smirked.

"It’s a payday."

Despite the tension, there was no fear.

This was their role.

Their agreement.

Unspoken but absolute.

Mercenaries protected their city.

Especially from things that weren’t human.

And demons were at the top of that list.

The gates of the city opened not to retreat but to advance.

Rows of soldiers marched outward, forming defensive lines beyond the walls.

Shields locked.

Spears raised.

Archers positioned along the ramparts above.

The Commander stood at the front.

Watching.

Waiting.

Beside him stood several high-ranking officers.

And scattered among the ranks were the mercenaries.

Some calm.

Some excited.

Some silent.

All ready.

The ground trembled faintly.

Then louder.

Then louder still.

The demon army came into view.

And for a moment, even the bravest soldiers felt their breath catch.

It wasn’t just the number.

It was the way they moved.

Unified.

Controlled.

Like a single entity.

The Commander narrowed his eyes.

"...That’s not normal."

Beside him, one of the mercenaries muttered.

"No..."

His grip tightened on his weapon.

"That’s not a horde."

The Captain at the front of the demon army stepped forward.

Alone.

Calm.

Confident.

It stopped within clear sight of the defenders.

And smiled.

The soldiers tensed.

The Commander raised his hand.

"Hold."

No one attacked.

Not yet.

The Captain tilted its head slightly.

Then it spoke. Its voice carried across the battlefield.

Clear and sharp.

It spoke in human tongue. "We greet you."

Shock rippled through the defenders.

The Commander’s eyes narrowed. Behind him, murmurs spread. "They can speak...?"

"Since when...?"

"This is bad..."

Very bad.

The Captain continued. "You stand before inevitability." Its gaze swept across the army.

"Lay down your weapons." A pause. "And your deaths will be swift."

The Commander stepped forward.

His voice cut through the fear.

"Or what?"

The Captain smiled wider.

"Or we take everything." Its eyes gleamed. "Slowly."

Silence fell again.

The Commander raised his sword.

"Then come." His voice was firm and unyielding. "Try."

For a moment, nothing moved.

Until the Captain’s smile vanished. Its hand rose slightly. And dropped.

The ground exploded into motion. The demon army surged forward. A tidal wave of claws, teeth, and destruction.

The soldiers roared.

"FOR THE CITY!"

"HOLD THE LINE!"

Arrows rained from the walls.

Steel met flesh.

Magic clashed against demonic force.

The battlefield ignited instantly.