Moments later,

Author

The first line of defenders buckled ten minutes later.

A wave of blinding white fire washed over the outer wall - ward-breaking magic that shattered shields and sent warriors stumbling back, coughing and blinded. Through the smoke came the Black Legion, their armor warded against claws and fangs, their weapons glowing with the same searing light.

"Fall back!" Leo shouted, but the enemy was already surging forward, cutting off the retreat.

Then a shadow fell over the battlefield.

Aria stepped onto the parapet, and the air around her rippled. Her eyes blazed gold and crimson, her wolf aura exploding outward in a wave that flattened the smoke...