Lord of the Foresaken

The forest was alive with movement.

Reed stood at the edge of his growing war camp, watching as goblins sharpened crude weapons, reinforced armor stolen from dead soldiers, and howled in excitement.

The survivors of the last village had run straight to Lord Ervan, just as Reed intended.

Now, war was coming.

And he welcomed it.

A messenger goblin sprinted into the clearing, panting. "H-human army! Coming fast!"

Shia stepped forward. "How many?"

The goblin shivered. "Many, many! Horses! Spears! Metal men!"

Reed smiled.

Perfect.

A system message flickered before his eyes.

[Incoming Hostile Force Detected]

• Lord Ervan's Army Approaching (150 Soldiers, 1 Hero, 20 Knights)

• Estimated Arrival: 2 Hours

Shia glanced at Reed. "They outnumber us."

Reed's smirk didn't fade. "Numbers don't matter. Fear does."

He turned to his army. Goblins. Berserkers. Evolved killers. Creatures that were never meant to win battles like this.

Until now.

Reed raised his voice.

"Tonight, we don't just fight." His gaze swept across the gathered monsters. "We show them that goblins aren't vermin. We show them that nobility means nothing. We break them."

The goblins screamed, howled, roared.

The first wave came fast—knights on horseback, spears glinting in the moonlight. They rode in like they had already won.

Arrogant. Predictable. Weak.

Reed whispered a single command.

"Fire."

Hidden in the trees, goblins released flaming arrows.

The first knights collapsed mid-charge, their bodies thrown from their horses as fire devoured them. The rest stumbled, their formation breaking instantly.

Then, the real attack began.

Berserkers rushed from the underbrush, foaming at the mouth, hacking into stunned soldiers. Spears shattered against their thickened hides, and knights screamed as they were dragged from their saddles.

The battlefield turned red.

Shia moved like a ghost through the chaos, cutting throats and dismantling knights one by one.

Reed?

He walked. Watched. Planned.

Then, he saw him.

A man in silver armor, standing tall among the chaos. Lord Ervan's Hero.

A true warrior.

His blade glowed with magic as he cut down goblins with ease.

Reed smirked. Perfect.

He stepped forward. "Shia."

She landed beside him in an instant, blood dripping from her daggers. "Yes, my lord?"

Reed pointed at the Hero.

"Kill him."

Shia grinned. "Gladly."