Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

The barrier's energy pulsed outward in waves, casting a faint but steady light over the defenders stationed along the wall. The air thrummed with mana, their collective power forming a protective shield that hummed against the incoming pressure.

John scanned the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the advancing Vond forces—a mass of soldiers armed to the teeth, their own war cries echoing across the field. Siege engines rolled behind them, dark and hulking, a grim promise of the force to come.

"Hold steady!" he called, though he knew the enchantments would only hold so long under the assault. "Maintain that flow—don't let it break!"

The defenders poured their mana into the barrier, each person's energy blending with the others in a brilliant, interwoven lattice of magic. A slight tremor went through the wall as the Vond soldiers began to close in.

Aiden leaned into the barrier, grinning despite the strain. "This is nothing. We've trained for worse than a few siege engines!"

"Focus, Aiden!" Rosa hissed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she maintained her steady flow of mana. Her vines glowed in rhythm with the barrier, lacing the stone beneath them with a verdant shimmer.

Elora's aura sparked with a cold, icy blue as she funneled her mana into the runes, her face serene despite the effort. Beside her, Aiden's fiery energy clashed against her frosty glow, the two elements sparking where they touched yet finding a balance in their shared goal. Rey's jaw was set, his focus unwavering.

Morrigan stood with her hands pressed to the wall, her eyes closed in concentration as her mana spread gently over the barrier, filling in any gaps in the energy flow Death Wolf, perched nearby, emitted a soft, crimson glow that mirrored her calm presence, adding strength to the collective barrier.

The Vond forces closed in, drawing nearer with each passing second. Arrows whistled through the air, some deflecting off the barrier with bright flashes of light, while others found gaps, forcing the defenders to shield themselves. The ground shook as the first of the siege engines fired, a massive boulder hurtling toward the wall.

The impact was jarring, the barrier flickering under the strain but holding, the combined efforts of the defenders bolstering it just in time.

"We can't keep this up forever," Rey muttered, tightening his grip on his weapon as he glanced over his shoulder. "When they break through, we'll have to engage them up close."

A ripple of determination passed through the group, each one preparing mentally for the moment when the barrier would finally fall.

John glanced at his comrades, his voice steadier now, full of resolve. "Then we make our stand right here. If they want to take this fortress, they'll have to get through every last one of us."

The defenders exchanged nods, their nerves steeling under the weight of the coming battle.

*****

Hidden within the shadows cast by Asher's skill, he and his group watched the soldiers of Vond regrouping on the wall. The soldiers moved with calculated precision, guided by a commanding officer who barked orders in a low but authoritative tone.

"Hurry up, you morons. We need to surround them before they figure out what's happening," the officer muttered, his voice carrying the chill of ruthless intent. The soldiers, now crowding onto the wall, glanced around with twisted grins, some even letting out low chuckles as they moved.

"A barrier, huh?" one soldier whispered, his voice dripping with contempt. "A clever plan, I'll give them that. Good thing we had a counter ready."

"Ha! To think they'd leave this side unguarded. They probably thought we'd be too scared to try something this bold," another scoffed, nudging his comrade with a smirk.

"I can't wait to see their faces when we surprise them from behind," one murmured, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Calm down, you fools," the commander snapped, casting a steely glare at the men. "Remember why we're here. This isn't about their soldiers."

"Yes, yes," another soldier replied, still grinning, "capture the civilians and the queen, use them as leverage, and force the rest of those poor fools to surrender."

"Good," the commander confirmed with a nod. "Taking hostages is our top priority."

Asher, hidden nearby with his companions, listened in silence, processing each twisted word. He glanced over at Finn, who leaned in close to whisper.

"We've been watching for a while, and I've already counted over five thousand," Finn murmured, eyes fixed on the advancing force.

Asher gave a faint nod, quickly analyzing the situation. 'So they plan to bypass the barrier and strike from within.' His mind raced through possible outcomes, noting every vulnerable angle. He glanced at Seraphina, Matthew, and Finn, who awaited his signal with tense anticipation. They would need to act soon if they wanted to disrupt the enemy's formation.

He whispered, "They're making a massive gamble here. But they're overconfident… this could be our advantage."

They watched in tense silence as the Vond soldiers continued their preparations, the chill in the air almost palpable as the minutes dragged on.

Shadows flickered across the men's faces, and the murmur of their plans made the atmosphere feel thick, heavy, charged with the weight of impending danger.

Seraphina's brow furrowed, her voice a soft interruption in the quiet. "It's still too big of a risk to call this a gamble," she whispered. "You're telling me they came through the sea, risking attacks, all based on a hunch?"

Asher sighed, acknowledging her point. "Yeah, yeah, I know. They don't seem like the type to take risks like this." His gaze remained fixed on the gathering enemy as he pieced together the details.

Finn looked at him questioningly. "And how exactly would you know that?"

"The way they've fought up till now," Asher replied in a low tone, "has been methodical. They've worn down their opponents slowly, with no sign of recklessness or desperation. So, for them to try something this drastic, it means they must see it as worth the risk."

Seraphina nodded thoughtfully. "It's likely they've already caught wind of our incoming reinforcements. Maybe they're trying to end this quickly before we're too fortified to counter."

Asher's gaze darkened. "But there's something else," he added, glancing at each of his teammates. "They said they'd take the civilians and the queen hostage, and it sounded like they already knew her exact location. That's classified information, not even we were given specifics."

"So, you're saying…?" Matthew's voice trailed off as the realization hit him.

"Exactly. Someone inside must be feeding them information," Asher confirmed, his tone heavy with suspicion. "Someone in Laxen has betrayed us."

The tension among them was almost tangible now, each of them absorbing the gravity of Asher's words. They exchanged glances, each one understanding the significance of what he'd uncovered. Around them, the air seemed to grow colder, thickened with a collective unease.

Then Matthew pointed, breaking the silence. "They're gathering, getting ready to move."

Asher nodded, his voice steely with determination. "Don't worry. We won't let them pass."

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Who's the traitor? ಠ﹏ಠ