Chapter 56: General's Duel
The battlefield was eerily quiet, the calm before the storm. Only the sounds of the wind brushing against the tall, jagged cliffs and the occasional clang of metal being sharpened or the murmur of soldiers preparing for battle filled the air. In the midst of this tense silence stood two opposing forces, their commanders preparing for the ultimate clash.
Kael's First General, Lord Duric, a towering figure clad in dark, ornate armor, stood before his enemy's strongest warrior. Duric's reputation as a fearsome general had been built upon countless victories, his strategic genius unmatched. His blade, "Grimfang," was an ancient weapon passed down through generations, its blackened steel shimmering ominously in the dim light.
Across from him stood Vornak, the commander of the invading forces, known as "The Unyielding." Vornak was a monster of a man, even taller than Duric, his armor bearing the mark of the enemy's bloodthirsty legion. His weapon, a massive two-handed greatsword, gleamed with dark energy, crackling as if it were alive. The sword was not only a weapon of destruction but also a symbol of Vornak's unbreakable will, which had made him feared throughout the entire battlefield.
Both commanders knew that this duel would decide the fate of the day, for it was the culmination of months of preparation, the pressure of thousands of lives resting upon their shoulders.
"I will end this now, General Duric," Vornak sneered, his voice booming across the field. "Your defenses are already crumbling, and your men are weak. This battle is already ours."
Duric's eyes narrowed, his stance firm. He had heard these words many times before, but each time, he had emerged victorious. "You speak too soon, Vornak. Your arrogance will be your undoing."
Without another word, the two commanders charged at each other, their heavy armor clanking as their boots hit the ground in synchronized thunder. Duric was faster, his movements almost predatory, and his sword flashed with precision. Vornak, on the other hand, was an immovable force, his greatsword held high, ready to crush anything in its path.
The first clash of steel was deafening, the shockwave of their collision sending sparks flying through the air. The sheer force of the impact reverberated across the battlefield, causing even the closest soldiers to flinch at the power displayed before them.
Duric twisted his blade, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow from Vornak's greatsword. His counterstrike was swift, but Vornak's armor deflected the attack, sending a jarring tremor up Duric's arm.
Vornak roared, swinging his greatsword down with earth-shattering force. Duric sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike that would have cleaved him in two. Instead, Vornak's sword cut deep into the earth, sending a shockwave through the ground that knocked nearby soldiers off their feet.
Duric's eyes gleamed with focused intensity. He knew that the longer this duel lasted, the more dangerous it became. Vornak's brute strength was overwhelming, but Duric's speed and agility were his true weapons. He had to outmaneuver his opponent, strike when the time was right, and end this battle before it spiraled out of control.
He feigned an attack to the right, then quickly changed direction and dashed to the left. Vornak's eyes narrowed, his instincts telling him to shift with the movement. But Duric was already there, his blade flashing with deadly accuracy, aiming for a weak spot in Vornak's armor.
The strike landed with a sickening sound, but the damage was minimal. Vornak's armor had absorbed most of the blow, and the commander grinned, his eyes filled with battle lust. "Is that all you've got, General?"
Duric didn't respond. His mind was already calculating the next move. He couldn't afford to waste time on taunts. Instead, he focused on the rhythm of the battle, studying his opponent's every move, looking for any hint of weakness.
Vornak launched another vicious attack, his greatsword slicing the air with deadly speed. Duric parried the blow with his sword, the sheer force of it sending him stumbling backward. The weight of Vornak's weapon was like a mountain crashing down, but Duric was prepared.
He rolled to the side, coming up in a low crouch, and with a swift movement, slashed at Vornak's exposed side. His blade met the enemy's armor with a resounding clang, but this time, the cut was deeper. A trickle of blood oozed from the wound, and Vornak let out a guttural growl of pain.
"That's more like it," Vornak muttered, his voice thick with rage. "You're starting to show some fight."
Duric grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I've only just begun."
With a howl, Vornak launched himself at Duric, his sword raised high, the air crackling with energy. Duric's eyes widened, sensing the incoming strike. He had no choice but to meet the blow head-on. He raised Grimfang to block, his body tensing with the effort.
The impact was so powerful that it sent shockwaves through the battlefield, causing the earth to tremble. Duric's feet dug into the ground, his muscles straining as he held his ground against the unrelenting force of Vornak's attack. The sheer power of the blow rattled his bones, but Duric held firm, using every ounce of his strength to keep his sword steady.
In a split second, Duric found an opening. Vornak's greatsword was momentarily out of position, and Duric seized the opportunity. With a quick step forward, he thrust Grimfang toward Vornak's chest, aiming for the heart.
But Vornak was not done yet. In a last-ditch effort, he twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow. Instead, the sword glanced off his armor, leaving a deep gash. Vornak stumbled back, blood oozing from the wound, but he was not finished.
His roar of defiance echoed through the air as he prepared for one final, all-out assault. His body was covered in sweat, his breathing ragged, but his eyes burned with the fire of a man who would not surrender.
Duric's expression hardened. This battle was nearing its end, and he would not let his opponent's willpower determine the outcome. He would fight with every ounce of his being, and he would win.
Vornak charged again, his greatsword raised high. But this time, Duric was ready. He took a deep breath, focusing his energy, and in a flash, he sidestepped the attack, narrowly avoiding the massive blade. With a surge of strength, Duric brought Grimfang down upon Vornak's shoulder, the blade slicing through the armor like butter.
The roar of pain that escaped Vornak's lips was deafening as he dropped to his knees, his greatsword falling from his grasp. Duric stood over him, his sword raised high, ready to end the battle.
"Yield," Duric said, his voice low and commanding.
Vornak's eyes burned with hatred, but he knew the battle was lost. He had given everything he had, but it was not enough. He fell to the ground, his body crumpling as the last of his strength faded away.
Duric stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion. He had defeated his greatest rival, and the battle was now in Kael's favor.