As the dark dragon's talond feet pounded the earth, Vonhelsine's malevolent presence seemed to darken the very air around him. His voice, a low, menacing whisper, echoed through the desolate landscape. "Why is it taking so long for my men to bring me David's head? Or have they been defeated? No, I'm not sure... I can still feel that they are alive." His eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing the horizon as he pondered the delay. "Then what's taking them so long?"
Vonhelsine's army finally came to a halt at the top of a hill, their dark silhouettes stark against the fading light of day. Before them lay the majestic walls of Adia, their towering battlements and imposing gates a testament to the city's unyielding spirit. The walls seemed to shimmer in the fading light, their stone façade glowing with a warm, golden hue.
Vonhelsine's gaze settled upon the walls, his eyes burning with an unholy hunger. "I hope you missed me, old friend," he whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "Move on," his voice echoed through the army, and with a deafening roar, they surged forward, their dark forms pouring down the hill like a malevolent tide.
Meanwhile, Arthur lay sleeping beneath the boughs of an ancient oak tree, its gnarled branches twisted and tangled in a mad dance. The tree stood sentinel, its roots digging deep into the earth, its leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Arthur's slumber was deep, his body weary from the trials of the day.
But as the earth began to tremble, Arthur's eyes flickered open. He sat up, his heart pounding in his chest, as the ground shuddered and rocks jumped to accommodate the tremors. "What's coming?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the growing din.
With a fluid motion, Arthur sprang to his feet, his agility and quick reflexes allowing him to scale the oak tree with ease. He climbed from branch to branch, his hands and feet finding holds with an uncanny ease. Reaching the top of the tree, he grasped a spyglass telescope, its brass surface glinting in the fading light.
As he gazed out over the horizon, his eyes settled upon the horrific legion of Vonhelsine's army. Their dark forms stretched out as far as the eye could see, their twisted banners flapping in the wind like dark wings. Arthur's heart sank, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the sheer scale of the army.
"Oooh, what a large army... and I think it's heading this way," Arthur whispered, his voice trembling with fear.
As he continued to gaze out at the army, his eyes fell upon Vonhelsine himself. Even at a distance, Arthur could sense the dark lords malevolent presence, his twisted form seeming to radiate an aura of evil. Arthur's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the dark wizard.
"Oooh no," Arthur breathed, his voice barely audible. He quickly climbed down from the tree, his mind racing with the implications of Vonhelsine's army. "I need to tell the king," he whispered, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.
With a swift motion, Arthur mounted his horse, its coat gleaming in the fading light. He urged the horse forward, its hooves pounding the earth as they galloped towards Adia's walls. The wind whipped through Arthur's hair, his heart pounding in his chest as he rode to warn the king of the impending doom that threatened to engulf their city.
As Arthur approached the castle gates, he spotted the guards on the wall, their eyes scanning the horizon. "Close the gates, hurry!" Arthur shouted, but the guards couldn't hear him. He urged his horse closer, slowing to a stop as he reached the gate.
The guards' gazes dropped to Arthur, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Close the gates!" Arthur's voice trembled. "An army of undead approaches!"
The guards exchanged a skeptical glance, but Arthur's serious expression stayed their doubts. "How many of them?" one guard asked, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
Arthur's gaze turned grim. "Hundreds... no, thousands of them." The guards' eyes widened as they grasped the magnitude of the threat.
Suddenly, the earth began to tremble, and the sound of distant footsteps grew louder. The guards' faces paled as they turned to Arthur. "What's that?" one of them whispered.
Arthur's eyes went wide with shock. "Oh no, they're almost here!" He tossed his spyglass to the guards. "See for yourself!"
The guards caught the spyglass and took turns gazing through the lens. Their faces turned ashen as they beheld the horrific army. "Oh no, it's true!" one of them exclaimed, passing the spyglass to the other.
The second guard's eyes widened in terror. "Then what are we waiting for? Close the gates!" he shouted, as the sound of drums echoed through the castle, signaling the alarm.
Arthur thanked the guards as the gates creaked shut behind him. He spurred his horse into a gallop, racing through the village as he shouted, "Everyone, head to the palace safe house for safety! Danger approaches!"
The alarm continued to sound, echoing through every corner of the kingdom. Arthur rode to the palace, bursting through the throne room doors with a force that shook the very foundations of the castle.
"Your Majesty!" Arthur bowed, his voice urgent. King Jake's eyes narrowed, his expression commanding. "What brings you here, Arthur?"
Arthur's face was set in a grim mask. "It's a big problem, Your Majesty. An army of thousands of undead soldiers marches towards our kingdom." King Jake's eyes widened, his voice echoing through the room. "Speak!"
Arthur took a deep breath, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I'm sure of it, Your Majesty. I saw them with my own eyes. They're led by Vonhelsine, and he looks more demonic than ever." King Jake's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger.
"Vonhelsine again?" the king growled, his voice like thunder. "I thought I taught him a lesson, but he never learns." King Jake's fist crashed onto the armrest of his throne, the impact making a cracking noise that echoed through the room.
"Speak more of his form," the king commanded, his eyes burning with intensity.
Arthur's voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed a hint of fear. "It's just like he's been reborn, rejuvenated, enhanced. He's more powerful than ever, Your Majesty." King Jake's face turned grim, his jaw set in determination.
"This is not good," the king muttered, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for a solution. "Are the Adians being evacuated to the kingdom's safe house?"
Arthur nodded, his voice firm. "Yes, sire. The alarm has been sounded, and the people are being evacuated as we speak." King Jake's face turned resolute, his voice commanding.
"Prepare our forces as quickly as possible. We will fight against this threat, and we will emerge victorious." The king's eyes locked onto Arthur's, his gaze burning with intensity.
"You're the commander of our army, Arthur. I'm counting on you." Arthur's face set in a determined mask, his voice firm.
"Yes, sire. Just like the old days." With a nod, Arthur turned to carry out his instructions, leaving King Jake to ponder the gravity of their situation.
As Arthur departed, King Jake's thoughts turned to his son, David. "Where are you, David? We need you now more than ever." The king's eyes scanned the horizon, his heart heavy with worry.