The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Is the city about to fall?" More and more onlookers converged on Stormcast, eager to breach its walls at the first sign of weakness. As dusk approached, the sky grew dark.

Then the patriarch of the Iron family slashed through Lord Skyveil's body, Lord Falconcrest's crushing blow pierced the Iron patriarch, Banneth's heavy fist hammered Lord Skyveil's head, and Lord Skyveil, one of the Five Lords of the Northlands... was slain in battle!

Though many had anticipated that some among the eight Commanders and Five Lords might fall here, the sight of Lord Skyveil's broken body tumbling into the ruins silenced the wilderness, leaving only a haunting quiet. Was he dead? Had Lord Skyveil truly... perished?

It was expected that Lord Skyveil's death would serve as a cold splash of water onto the frenzied battlefield, urging the Archmages to a moment of calm. However, the reality was starkly different. Jarad became even more frenetic, Banneth wilder, and the patriarch of the Iron family, disheveled as if possessed by a demon, brandished his blade as if to cut down everyone in sight.

The battle escalated to its climax.

Two Elders of the Blessed Citadel sought vengeance on the Stellar Precepts Commander, but to no avail they were no match. Instead, they set their sights on the Stellar Precepts Commander's loyalist-the Hidden Essence Commander!

Caught off guard by an attack from the Blessed Citadel, the Hidden Essence Commander was swiftly cut down, and his blood spilled across the battlefield.

The continuous combat finally shattered the protective barrier of the Floral Enchantress Commander, forcing her to spit blood and retreat forcefully from Stormcast.

Her withdrawal peeled back the protective shield over the ancient city, unleashing a torrent of energy like a storm unleashed, leveling the eastern district in an instant. A fearsome tempest swept toward the inner city, and over two hundred thousand citizens screamed in terror, awaiting their doom in despair.

"Why hasn't Alavin come yet?" Mariela fretted as the horrific energy ravaged the land, testing everyone's endurance. Many shook uncontrollably, their faces pale as death.

"Don't wait here. Leave the old city," Balder ordered decisively.

Lucan furrowed his brow. "Where can we go? Tens of thousands await outside, not merely as spectators-they're eager for us to fall right into their hands. Besides, the Grand Elder and Lord Viperbane are both watching us like predators."

"To stay here is to await death."

Oda sobbed in Helna's embrace. "If we leave, what will happen to the people of the city?"

Suddenly, a brilliant light burst forth from the depths of the city hall. In the chaos, Hamund broke into the hall and appeared before them. He had been lurking in the dense forest, waiting for an opportunity to take Celesse away.

"Hamund!" Celesse exclaimed, overjoyed to see her teacher alive.

"Hamund," Mariela and Balder bowed in greeting.

"I can only take three of you. Decide amongst yourselves," Hamund said, without a moment to waste, laying out the stark truth. With the Grand Elder and Lord Viperbane outside, being cornered would spell great danger; his limit was to protect three.

"What?" The group was taken aback and then filled with a chilling realization. Were things truly so dire?

"Can't you... wait a bit longer?" Celesse implored, knowing full well her mentor's dilemma, but unable to bear the thought of abandoning everyone.

"There's no time to wait. They've gone mad. Lord Skyveil is dead, and the Hidden Essence Commander is dead. Lord Viperbane and the Grand Elder could break in at any moment," Hamund had done all he could. His original plan was to protect Celesse as they escaped, but... alas.

"What about Alavin? Has he not arrived?" Mariela had barely finished speaking when a piercing sound cut through the air. Lord Viperbane and the Grand Elder, avoiding the battlefield, had forced their way into the inner city.

"I'm here to stop them," Commander Kashann suddenly appeared, enduring his agonizing injuries, and with a flourish of his dazzling whip, he struck like lightning at the Grand Elder. The whip, a convergence of forced energy tides, compressed and immensely powerful, was his defiant stand.

"You're not dead yet?" The Grand Elder thundered. The dark cudgel struck with precision against the whip, causing an explosive boom as the Grand Elder forcefully shattered the long whip and sent Commander Kashann flying. The Grand Elder flipped through the air, descending in an instant, the black cudgel, pounded five rapid strikes into Commander Kashann's chest, shattering his breastbone, cleaving his heart, and scattering a shower of blood across the sky.

"Commander!" Celesse and her companions cried out in alarm.

Commander Kashann, already at the end of his strength, coughed up blood profusely and fell from the sky, crashing toward the Lord's Keep.

"We must go! We can't wait any longer! Protect yourself. Just say Alavin is not in the city." Hamund gritted his teeth, scooped up Celesse, Mariela, and Oda, and sped off into the distance.

"Hamund? Who did he take with him?" The Grand Elder and Lord Viperbane pursued at full speed. Could it be Alavin?

At that moment, ten kilometers from Cloudveil Woods, a resplendent "sun" cast a radiance a thousand feet wide, dispelling the evening's gloom with its surging power. It's like it gathered an ocean of energy. Far from the forest's edge, the ground shook with the tremors of the fierce battle that could be felt even at this distance.

Alavin lifted his golden eyes toward the horizon, slowly rising to his feet. "It's about time, Kings... what are you waiting for?!"