The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Grand Elder!" Lord Viperbane commanded sharply. What are you dawdling for at such a time?

"You lead the assault, and I'll breach their defenses!" The Grand Elder, hands clasped behind his back, gestured toward the forest edge, where mighty champions from the three factions lay hidden. There was no time for caution. Alavin had to be taken amidst the chaos, for with each moment, the endeavor grew more complicated, and the opportunity to claim Alavin shrank. Moreover, the Grand Elder could not bear the thought of being mocked in front of all the Northlands' champions. They had to capture Alavin and withdraw swiftly.

Neasilis and his companions emerged, bursting from the forest into the wilderness, charging toward the Stormcast with ferocious speed.

"It begins!" Spectators from afar, eager to take advantage of the situation, anticipated their chance to gain an easy prize.

"I'll see who dares come within a step of the Stormcast!" Jarad stood defiant above the city gates, as the clouds churned violently above, like a river of blood winding through the sky, a terrifying sight that chilled the bravest of hearts.

"Grand Elder, make it quick and decisive. I'll try to hold him off," Lord Viperbane, strong and domineering, was confident he could entangle Jarad. It would not take long to finish this.

"Breach, slay, and find Alavin," the Grand Elder commanded loudly, locking eyes with Commander Kashann from afar, his fighting spirit blazing. Behind him in the wilderness, Neasilis and his companions accelerated, their inner magic surging and their auras dazzling. They unleashed tremendous energy, streaking across the wilderness like lightning.

These were powerful Master Mages, over fifty strong, and even if an Archmage would emerge from Stormcast, they believed they could destroy the city, slaughter its inhabitants, and force the Mallister family to surrender Alavin.

"Will you simply watch, or are you goting to seize the Kings' Acceptance?" Commander Kashann, severely wounded, could not withstand the Grand Elder's onslaught and sought help from the distant Floral Enchantress Commander.

The Floral Enchantress Commander remained impassive, her thoughts and intentions inscrutable.

"Slay!" Lord Viperbane, sensing the Floral Enchantress Commander's hesitation, launched a fierce attack, unleashing a tidal wave of combat prowess against Jarad.

"Slay!" The Grand Elder charged at Commander Kashann.

Meanwhile, in the wilderness, Neasilis and his companions spread out, like arrows flying across the dry grass, avoiding the battlefield of Archmages and heading straight for Stormcast.

"Father! We must act now. We can't wait any longer." Deep in the wilderness, Balder pleaded with his father. Over three hundred of the Mollen family's warriors lay hidden here. Though they didn;t have powerful Archmages, them joining the ancient city's battlefield would still present a formidable force.

"Is Alavin within the ancient city?" the Mollen family patriarch frowned, observing the distant battlefield. The situation was unclear, and the consequences of intervening were unpredictable. Matured beyond rash decisions, he knew that in complex situations, caution was paramount. Behind him stood the extensive Mollen family; one false step could doom them all.

"Father! Commander Kashann has not fled with Alavin but has chosen to invite battle in the Northlands. There must be a reason behind it. I believe they have other plans."

"Indeed, it could be a ruse to attract attention and create an escape opportunity for Alavin."

Balder suddenly knelt, and his honest face was devoid of any smile as he spoke earnestly, "Father, I stake my life on it. Alavin would never abandon his family. I understand the pressure you face to intervene now, but great calamity corresponds with great fortune. If we bet correctly, Bloodlore and Cobalt Strike will become staunch allies of the Mollen family."

"If we lose, the Mollen family will face the cruel repression of Lord Viperbane."

"Father! Take the risk!"

The over three hundred Mollen family guards furrowed their brows, also awaiting the patriarch's decision.

The Mollen family patriarch clenched and unclenched his fists, his brow knitting into a knot. "Give me one more reason!"

Balder looked up, "Let's consider the worst outcome. The ancient city falls, the Eight Orders fracture, the Five Lords are defeated, and the Northlands plunge into total chaos. The Mollen family may lose some interests and face dangers and challenges, but we also have the opportunity to rise in troubled times, because we have Alavin! Behind Alavin stand Bloodlore and Cobalt Strike, and perhaps... the Iron family! Father, what is your greatest wish in life? To maintain what we have, or to break through?"

The Mollen family patriarch pondered long and hard before speaking in a deep voice, "The Mollen family's development has reached a bottleneck; indeed, we need a significant change. I'll bet on the legacy of Alavin's, and I bet the Eight Orders will not let Lord Viperbane off easily. Take action! Spare no expense. Protect Stormcast."

"By your command!" Led by Daman, three hundred of the Mollen family's mightiest warriors bellowed in unison, their voices rising like a sudden surge of beasts unleashed, charging toward Stormcast with ferocious zeal.