"Signal? Was that the signal for the same attack?" Orion asked, surprised, as he looked at Edward. Edward nodded, feeling both scared and excited as his heart raced. The yellow light that had just disappeared was the signal they had been waiting for, meaning their mission was about to start.

  "The attack was supposed to happen while Harald was gone, and I saw him leave the palace today," Edward said. Orion, angry, shoved him, making him hit a wall.

  "How could you do this?" Orion shouted, upset.

  "I'm... I'm sorry, Orion, but I have to go," Edward said quickly, turning to leave.

  Orion stood there, full of anger and confusion. Edward’s words kept replaying in his mind, and he couldn’t understand how someone he thought of as a friend could betray the Ironhart Clan like this.

  Edward had been one of his most trusted allies, always there during their secret meetings and talks. He seemed committed to the cause, ready to risk everything for a better future. But now, it looked like Edward had been lying all along.

  Filled with anger and betrayal, Orion stormed out of the house, determined to find Edward and get to the bottom of his lies. As he stepped outside, the cool evening breeze brushed his face, helping to calm his racing mind for a moment. He looked around, searching for any sign of Edward.

  He spotted him a few miles away, running quickly toward the palace. Orion's anger grew, and he ran after him, his footsteps echoing through the empty streets. Edward’s betrayal fueled a fire inside him, and he was determined to face the traitor and get answers.

  When he finally caught up with Edward, Orion grabbed him, forcing him to turn and face him. "How could you?" he shouted, his voice a mix of hurt and rage. "They trusted you, Edward. They believed in you!"

  Edward’s eyes shifted nervously, his face pale with guilt. "I had no other choice," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. "They killed my senior, and I couldn’t betray him. I had to protect my clan."

  Orion's grip tightened, his anger at its peak. "Do you think they’re betraying you? You could have found another way! But you..."

  Edward’s eyes filled with rage, his voice shaking. "I never wanted this, Orion. I never wanted to betray the Ironhart Clan. But I couldn’t stand seeing my clan suffer because of it."

  Orion let go of him and shot Edward a furious glare, his eyes burning with rage. "I’ll never forgive you for this, and you’ll pay for it."

  Edward opened his mouth to argue but then closed it, shaking his head in sadness. "No one asked for forgiveness," he muttered before turning and running toward the castle.

  As Edward disappeared into the distance, Orion slowly sank to the ground. He stared at the horizon, and a single tear slid down his cheek.

  [Interior Dragon West Hall, Imperial Jade Palace]

  Harald rushed forward, pushing through the crowd and leading the Emperor to a quiet, hidden spot. He whispered something in the Emperor's ear, and the Emperor’s sorrowful expression quickly changed to one of fury. "Close the south and west gates immediately and station troops there. Tell Caelum Nyxson to bring his trusted soldiers into the palace and protect the Empress and the imperial ladies."

  Once they reached the Dragon West Hall, Emperor William and Harald were surrounded by trusted advisors and military strategists. The room was thick with tension as everyone waited anxiously for Harald to explain the change in the Emperor's mood.

  Harald took a deep breath, his voice steady as he began to share the troubling news he had just given to the Emperor. "Our tribe is in chaos. The Shadowmoon Clan has taken control, and they are retaliating against us for Quentin's murder."

  "Why would they want to attack us if we didn’t kill Quentin?" Kaelan Drakonis, a senior adviser, asked.

  "They wanted to attack because the Seven Dark Forces were behind the Silver Blade Sword, and it was under our protection," Harald replied.

  "The Silver Blade Sword?" Kaelan gasped, his eyes widening in shock.

  Emperor William sighed deeply, his face filled with concern. "The Silver Blade Sword feeds on the fear and darkness within a person’s heart. It amplifies their deepest fears, turning them into a weapon of destruction. The more fear it consumes, the stronger it becomes. But this power comes at a great cost—the wielder loses their sanity, consumed by their own fears, until they become nothing more than a puppet of darkness."

  Kaelan shuddered, horrified by the thought. "So, the Seven Dark Forces wanted to get their hands on this sword to spread chaos throughout the kingdom?"

  Harald nodded grimly. "Yes, they believed that with the Silver Blade Sword, they could control people’s minds, spreading fear and division across the land. Their goal was to overthrow the court and establish their reign of terror."

  Kaelan clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination. "We can't let that happen. We must protect the Silver Blade Sword at all costs. We should call for help from the Stormwatch and Flamecrest Clans—they’ve been loyal allies for years."

  "It's pointless," Harald said, shaking his head in frustration.

  "What do you mean?" Kaelan started to ask, but before he could finish, the door to the Dragon West Hall suddenly burst open. A soldier, covered in blood and wielding a sword, staggered in. "The Shadowmoon Clan has attacked the west gate!"

  With a sense of urgency, Harald took command and quickly formed a plan to defend their territory from the invading Shadowmoon forces.

  "It’s time for us to fight back," he ordered immediately, turning to the Ironhart students in Dragon West Hall. "Kaelan, gather your weapons and take twenty students with you to form a defensive line near the west gate."

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  "Galen Runehart, you lead a small group to flank the Shadowmoon forces from the side while the main force engages them head-on." Galen bowed to Harald and quickly left.

  "Dorian Thundertide, position archers on the rooftops surrounding the southern gate. Your task is to rain arrows down on the Shadowmoon and Flamecrest forces to slow their progress and disrupt their ranks."

  Harald then turned to his team. "Secure the armory, gather extra weapons and supplies, and protect the villagers. We must make sure our resources stay safe."

  Just as he gave the last orders, a voice broke through the tension.

  "Dad, dad, look out!"

  Harald was startled and quickly turned toward the voice. His frown deepened as he saw his daughter, breathless and anxious. "What? What happened?"

  She pointed toward the entrance, her hand shaking. "Someone came in just a few minutes ago. He tried to fight us, but he escaped before I could stop him."

  "A spy?" Harald asked, his expression hardening. He stepped in front of his soldiers, preparing himself for what was to come.

  The young warrior nodded grimly. "Definitely."

  Harald glanced up at the sky, then turned back to his troops. "You heard what my daughter said. Stay alert. Watch for anyone acting suspiciously. Keep an eye out for intruders. I suspect there’s someone inside causing all of this."

  As his soldiers prepared to carry out his orders, Harald felt an eerie chill in the air. Looking up, he saw a dark shadow looming above the courtyard where his men were stationed. He gripped his sword tightly, recognizing it instantly—the Seven Dark Forces had arrived.

  [Exterior Imperial Jade Palace Courtyard]

  The courtyard was cloaked in darkness, with only the faint moonlight breaking through the clouds. Warriors emerged from the palace, their armor gleaming ominously in the pale light. They formed an imposing line, weapons raised, ready to face their enemies.

  The atmosphere was thick with tension as warriors from the Stormwatch Clan, Flamecrest Clan, and Shadowmoon Clan assembled. Their armor shimmered in the dim light, and their expressions were resolute. United, they prepared to face the Ironhart Clan—their mutual enemy.

  The warriors unsheathed their swords, their faces hidden behind dark masks. Moving in perfect unison, their footsteps echoed through the vast courtyard as they advanced toward the palace gates. In the distance, the sounds of battle rang out—clashing swords and war cries blending into a chilling symphony.

  They heard a sound, and with it came the smell of death and blood. The scent of blood sharpened their focus. Many were dying that night. They moved toward the gate, ready to open it and go inside. But just before they could enter the palace, an arrow shot through the air, hitting one of them in the head. The warrior fell lifeless to the ground, his body slamming hard against the palace door. It was a deadly shot. The others turned to see where it came from. A lone archer was crouched on a rock, bow in hand, waiting until his target fell before showing himself.

  He aimed again and fired another arrow, hitting another warrior in the head. Arrows kept flying through the night. One man fell, then another, collapsing into pools of blood. A third screamed in pain as an arrow pierced his head. He tried to lift his sword but couldn’t, his arm trembling weakly. Soon, he too fell. Four warriors now lay on the ground, killed by the deadly poison on the arrows.

  “They’re coming!” shouted one of the warriors. “We have to stop them!” The group turned and ran from the courtyard, their horses bolting away from the village without being commanded.

  “Get ready to fight!” one of them yelled, drawing his sword. “We’ll take them down together!” Two more joined him, while three others stayed back, watching carefully. As the sounds of battle grew closer, they rushed toward the castle gates and jumped into the fight.

  On the other side of the courtyard stood the warriors of the Ironhart Clan, led by their ruthless leader, Caelum. Their eyes met, and without a word, they knew—this fight would only end when one side was completely destroyed.

  The leader of the Ironhart Clan stepped forward, his voice booming, “Do you dare challenge the might of the Ironhart Clan? You will regret this night, for it will be your last!”

  Senior Eiriksson Stormcaller of the Shadowmoon Clan stepped forward, his eyes burning with fury. “Tonight, we face our greatest enemy,” he declared. “Isaac killed our senior Quentin, and we brought the case to the Ironhart Clan. Instead of punishing him, they set him free. Why?” he shouted. “Tonight, we fight for our honor, for our families, and for the future of our clans!”

  Senior Rolf Iron of the Flamecrest Clan joined in, his voice strong and defiant. “Ironhart Clan, you’ve underestimated our unity. Though we may be outnumbered, we stand together in purpose. Tonight, we’ll show you the strength of our resolve. Prepare yourselves, for the storm is upon you!”

  Baldur Ray, a senior of the Stormwatch Clan, stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and vengeance. “Tonight, your reign ends. We’ve studied your tactics and weaknesses. We know your every move. Prepare to face the wrath of the united clans!”

  “Attack!” Caelum shouted, and the Ironhart Clan charged forward, weapons raised.

  Warriors from the Stormwatch, Flamecrest, and Shadowmoon Clans joined the charge, their battle cries echoing through the night. The clash of swords and the screams of battle filled the air as the two forces collided in a brutal fight.

  The moon watched over the battle, its pale light shining on the bravery and sacrifice of those fighting for their clans. The fate of the clans hung in the balance as the midnight clash unfolded within the palace walls.

  As the battle raged, Harald led the main force in a fierce defense. Using their superior combat skills and knowledge of the terrain, he encouraged his soldiers to fight with unwavering determination. “Protect our homeland!” he urged them.

  Harald kept a close eye on the battlefield, constantly adjusting his strategy. “Target their weaknesses!” he commanded his warriors. “Break their formation and crush their morale!” The fight was fierce, and every move could decide the outcome of the war.

  Harald noticed Edward sneaking into the palace from an unusual spot. “It’s been a while,” Harald said with a sarcastic smile, looking up at him. Edward visibly gulped, his confidence wavering. He didn’t seem as strong or fearless as he had the last time they met.

  Edward rolled his eyes, trying to hide his nerves. “Harald, I see your wit is as sharp as ever. Did you come up with that all by yourself?” He forced a smirk, determined to appear strong in front of his friend despite his fear.

  Harald smirked, crossing his arms. “Well, I do make an effort to keep my sarcasm skills sharp, unlike certain people I know.”

  Edward scoffed, drawing his sword. “I’ve heard better comebacks from an injured squirrel. Let’s see if your sword skills are as impressive as your snark.”

  Harald chuckled, twirling his own sword. “Don’t worry, Edward. I’ll make sure to give you a performance worth remembering. Just try not to trip over your own arrogance in the process.” The two clashed, each putting every ounce of strength into their strikes. They exchanged blows, blocking and parrying, until exhaustion began to take its toll. Their muscles ached, and sweat mixed with blood, pooling on the cold ground. Despite their heavy breathing, neither was willing to stop.

  Edward grunted, narrowly dodging a swing from Harald. “You know, Harald, I have to admit, your insults are almost as annoying as your fighting style.”

  Harald smirked, pretending to be offended. “Well, thank you, Edward. I always strive to be a well-rounded annoyance.” He glanced at Edward, noticing how tired he looked despite his bravado.

  Edward wiped sweat from his face and chuckled as he parried another attack. “Well, you’re certainly succeeding. I couldn’t decide which was worse—your insults or your swordsmanship.”

  Harald raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “Come on now, Edward. You’re just jealous of my unique blend of clumsiness and incompetence.” He jabbed Edward in the side with his blade, drawing a grunt from his friend. Edward narrowed his eyes and struck back, but Harald blocked the blow with his sword. Their blades clashed, sparks flying as steel met steel. Harald grinned, pleased he’d managed to surprise his friend.