Reign and his team watched the approaching army from a concealed vantage point, their expressions serious but determined. They knew the psychological blow had been significant, but it wasn't enough to stop the Shadow Serpents. They needed to be ready for the real battle ahead.
Reign turned to his team. "Alright, this is it, we need to make sure everything is in place."
"Are the traps set?"
Mia nodded. "Yes, we've set up a series of traps along the main path they're taking, they won't see them until it's too late."
"Good," Reign said. "We need to hit them hard and fast."
"Shadow, Mia, Laura, and Greenie, you will be in charge of setting off the traps and creating chaos among their ranks, Wolf, Beast, Jin, and I will take on their leaders and any Tier VI combatants after the battle in front of the base reaches a certain point."
Amelia stepped forward, her resolve clear. "My people are ready, the leaders of the other factions are fully aware of the plan, some of them are quite upset that you will only make a move later, but they understand why you are doing so and will make sure none of their forces break through our defenses."
"Good, we need to do this if your factions are going to coexist in the same place later, the camaraderie your forces will build during this battle will be incredibly important later on."
"Let's move out," Reign ordered, his voice steady and calm. "We need to be in position before they reach the first line of traps."
The team dispersed, each member moving to their designated positions. The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the enemy to approach. The traps were hidden well, and the enemy would not realize they were walking into an ambush until it was too late.
The minutes stretched on, feeling like hours as they listened to the distant sounds of the approaching army. Reign's eyes scanned the horizon, his senses heightened. He knew that the element of surprise was crucial. If they could disorient and demoralize the enemy, their chances of victory without suffering large casualties would rise significantly.
Finally, the first lines of the Shadow Serpents came into view. The army moved with a sense of purpose, their ranks disciplined despite the earlier shock. Reign's heart pounded in his chest as he watched them draw closer, but his mind was clear and focused.
"Wait for my signal," Reign whispered into the communication crystal he held. The team acknowledged, that their breathing was steady and controlled.
The enemy advanced, oblivious to the dangers lurking beneath their feet. As they reached the first set of traps, Reign gave the signal.
"Now!"
In an instant, the traps were triggered. Explosions rocked the ground, sending debris and dust into the air. Cries of alarm and pain echoed through the ranks of the Shadow Serpents as they were thrown into disarray. Some of the soldiers fell into concealed pits, while others were caught in snare traps that immobilized them.
The other leaders nodded in agreement, their faces grim. They knew that they were facing a formidable enemy, but they were determined to protect their home at all costs.
Upon seeing the heavily fortified base, the enemy leaders all grimaced. They once again underestimated their enemy.
"That base did not look like that yesterday, we sent a scout to check on it." One of the leaders said as the others stared and nodded.
"That group, the mysterious faction that is hunting down our men, it has to be them that did this, the fortification and the traps." Another leader said as the others once again nodded.
"We can't turn around, not now, the morale of the entire faction will plummet if we do so." A third leader stated as they all clenched their hands into fists before one of them stepped forward.
"We go all out, right now, right away."
"Use the battle formation, form up!" The leader shouted, his voice reverberating through the entire army, causing the soldiers to all show a serious expression and move together.
They formed a weird formation before releasing their mana, causing it to shroud the entire army. Their mana then fused, forming a figure above them.
It was a bat.
The battle formation the army knew was one the vampires had given them, it was a battle formation similar to the ones Reign and the others had seen in the past when armies in worlds that had magic for a long time used when fighting.
The bat figure above the army was not just for show. It was a powerful magical formation that enhanced the soldiers' speed, strength, and endurance while connecting them all. Unlike the battle formations they had seen before, this one didn't create an avatar that would battle, instead, it merely increased the overall power of all the soldiers.
The Shadow Serpents' army surged forward with renewed vigor, their movements swift and coordinated.
Inside the base, Amelia and the other faction leaders watched as the enemy approached, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They knew that the real battle was about to begin, and they braced themselves for the onslaught.
As the enemy reached the first line of defense, the traps set by Reign and his team were triggered once again. Explosions and sudden pitfalls disrupted the enemy's advance, causing confusion and chaos among their ranks. However, the magical formation provided the soldiers with enhanced abilities, allowing them to push through the obstacles with relative ease.
Amelia's forces fought valiantly, using their superior knowledge of the terrain and the traps to their advantage. They attacked from atop the walls of their base, raining down spells and arrows on the enemy.
Meanwhile, Reign and his team observed the battle from a safe distance, waiting for the right moment to strike. They could see that the traps and defenses were slowing down the enemy, but they also knew that it wouldn't be enough.