Quark, the proud and seasoned chief of the Kant tribe, stood at the center of the village, his mind racing. Despite his usual calm, a knot of dread tightened in his chest. He was a fifth-level warrior, respected by his people, and known for his strength, but even he could not deny the growing unease.
The situation was dire.
He barked out orders, his voice rough with urgency. "Quick! Recall all the soldiers from the fire lines! Every commander, rally your men! We must prepare to defend the tribe!"
The Beastmen guards, all with fear mirrored in their wide eyes, saluted sharply. "Yes, Chief!" They turned on their heels and dashed away, their hurried steps echoing in the village as they spread the command.
Quark's hands moved swiftly as he buckled his armor, strapping on each piece with a practiced efficiency. But no amount of armor could shield the creeping sense of doom. His thoughts spun relentlessly: 'Who are these attackers?'
It wasn't just the numbers that troubled him, though more than a thousand enemies was already overwhelming for the Kant tribe. The worst part, the true reason for his anxiety, was the fire spreading in the wheat fields to the north. Many of their best warriors had been sent there to battle the flames, leaving the tribe vulnerable.
The enemy was already upon them.
Chaos spread through the village like wildfire. Shouts and cries filled the air as the Kant werewolves scrambled, trying to make sense of the sudden assault. Quark, however, remained a pillar of authority. He marched through the streets, his mere presence enough to calm the panicked civilians.
"Get to your homes!" he commanded, his voice brooking no argument. The women, children, and elders obeyed without hesitation, retreating into the safety of their houses. Yet even as they bolted their doors, they peered out through the small cracks, eyes wide with terror.
In the southern part of the village, a hastily assembled force of Kant warriors gathered, but it was clear they were outmatched. The ground trembled as the enemy approached, a deafening rumble that foretold disaster. Soon enough, the horizon darkened with the shapes of hulking Beastmen warriors and Rem's wolf cavalry, over two hundred strong; charging toward the village.
The battle began with brutal speed.
The Kant's crude defenses, hastily erected in the moments before the attack, were torn apart as though they were made of paper. The wolf riders swept through the lines, their scimitars flashing in the dying light. Beastmen warriors were knocked aside, some killed instantly, others left maimed, their cries of pain mingling with the clash of steel.
Quark watched in horror as the enemy carved through his people, unstoppable. He clenched his fists in helpless rage. 'This is too much...'
And then, the worst happened, the enemy infantry breached the village. Their forces, a mix of wild boar warriors and even a handful of towering bearfolk, stormed into the very heart of the tribe. The Kant Beastmen warriors fought valiantly, but they were no match for the onslaught.
From their homes, the villagers could only watch in silence. Every moment, another Beastmen fell, their bodies crumpling to the blood-soaked ground. Children huddled in corners, their mothers whispering desperate prayers that the chaos outside would pass them by.
Quark's heart pounded in his chest as he surveyed the scene. He had to do something, anything. He could already see the grim future unfolding before his eyes, the tribe he had sworn to protect would be annihilated. The thought gripped him with a fierce urgency. There had to be a way to turn the tide.
His sharp eyes darted over the battlefield. Among the attacking forces, he spotted something odd: wild boars and bears, creatures that didn't typically ally with werewolves. 'Who are these enemies?' he wondered, confused. 'Why are they fighting together?'
But there was no time for questions. He knew what he had to do. If there was any hope left, it lay in one final gamble: cut off the head of the snake. He needed to find their leader.
Kro's smile widened as he saw the struggle in Quark's eyes. "You're not bad, but you're no match for me," he said with an almost mocking tone. "I haven't had a good fight in a long time."
In the blink of an eye, Kro's body blurred, his speed unnatural. Before Quark could react, the Silver Mane chief appeared behind him, sword raised. 'How did he—'
'CLANG!'
Once again, Kro's scimitar crashed down on Quark, sending him flying backward. Quark's body slammed into the ground, but he forced himself up, refusing to give in to the pain searing through him. His chest heaved, sweat dripping from his brow. He couldn't keep up.
The fight continued at a relentless pace. Within moments, the two warriors had exchanged dozens of blows. But it was clear who held the upper hand. Kro remained on the offensive, his attacks swift and brutal, while Quark was forced into a desperate defense. Each strike from Kro pushed Quark closer to his limit. His movements were slowing, his breath growing ragged.
Kro, on the other hand, was barely winded. His eyes gleamed with confidence, his every motion filled with purpose. "You're starting to wear out," he taunted as he knocked Quark back once more.
Quark gritted his teeth. He knew the truth of Kro's words. He was exhausted, his strength ebbing. But he couldn't afford to stop. The survival of his tribe hung in the balance.
With one final, crushing blow, Kro sent Quark flying into the side of a nearby house. The impact was thunderous, the wall crumbling as Quark's body crashed through it. He fell to the ground in a heap, blood trickling from his mouth and nose. His vision blurred, and every inch of his body screamed in pain.
He tried to stand, but his legs refused to obey. His limbs were limp, his strength all but gone.
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The battlefield seemed to freeze as both Silver Mane and Kant warriors watched their leaders' duel. A wave of despair washed over the Kant soldiers as they saw their chief defeated. The Silver Mane warriors, on the other hand, roared in triumph, their confidence bolstered as they pressed their attack.
Kro approached slowly, his boots crunching on the rubble as he made his way toward Quark. His face remained calm, though there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
Quark, barely able to move, looked up at his enemy, his voice weak but defiant. "Why... why didn't you finish me off?" he croaked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. Kro had the chance to kill him, he could feel it in the force of that last kick. Yet he hadn't used his blade.
Kro stopped, staring down at Quark, then smiled faintly. "Because, Quark," he began, his voice almost conversational, "I didn't need to. I don't kill for the sake of killing. Besides..." He paused, considering his next words. "A warrior like you still has value."
Quark's mind raced, trying to make sense of Kro's words. He coughed, tasting blood. "Value?"
"Yes," Kro said calmly. "It's not easy to find a fifth-level warrior. Your strength, even in defeat, could be useful to the Silver Mane Tribe. I see no point in wasting it by spilling your blood. Join us, Quark, and live. Or continue this pointless resistance and watch your tribe fall."
Quark's body was broken, but his mind was still sharp. He knew what Kro was offering, a lifeline, a chance to survive, but at the cost of his pride. His tribe, however, might have no other option.
Kro turned slightly, surveying the battlefield as his forces pushed the Kant warriors back. "The choice is yours, Chief of the Kant Tribe," he said over his shoulder. "But decide quickly. Your people's fate rests in your hands."