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The moon shined brightly overhead, bathing the land in moonlight. Lantis rose on his great black horse as he patrolled the northern border of Vegetasei, a great stretch of towering mountains that separate the country from the northern lands beyond. He glanced around for potential danger. Even though the war against the previous Startouch Elf council had ended 16 years ago, many had remain vigilant and protective of their home, despite the years of peace that followed. Lance was no exception. He long since learned that foes of any kind can and will come when you least expected it. For this, he was always wary, unlike most of his fellow soldiers, thanks to years of peace and tranquility, who convinced that tonight will no different. They were sure nothing will happen. They were sure no invaders will come over the border. They were wrong, for that is about to change.
A screech filled a air before a creature flew by and scratched Lantis on the cheek, drawing blood. He looked to see his attacker: a spitfire bird. A bird notorious for shooting a hot, corrosive acid at potential predators. She landed on a tall spire-like rock, the moon shining behind her. There, she stared down at Lantis, who briefly glanced at his blood-stained fingers, before refocusing his gaze at the bird who let out another screech.
Soon, a horrific growl came from beside Lantis. He turned towards a cave and stared at it for a few moments, before three long drops of something wet hit the cave floor. Lantis examined the drops, then looked up to see their owner. A chill went up his spine as he witnessed the head, then the body, of a massive creature emerge from the cave, its mouth filled with disgusting saliva. A horned tyrant, a predator dinosaur with two horned above each of its amber piercing eyes, rows of spines liking its neck and back and short arms with four-fingered hands. Its face in a snarl, revealing its sharp, glistening teeth. On its back, safely sitted on a saddle, was a purple and blue armoured and masked rider. Lnatis watched in horror as the horned tyrant growled and lunged towards him with a snap of its jaws. Luckily, he dodged and urged his horse away from the dinosaur, and towards the nearest signal tower.
"We're under attack!" Lantis shouted desperately towards the tower. Behind the horned tyrant, more creatures and their riders emerged from the cave. Dinosaurs, Pokemon, giant flightless birds, great cats, ground-dwelling dragons, unicorns, griffons, and many other creatures. The horned tyrant let out a roar before charging after Lantis at its rider's urging. "Light the signal!" Lantis shouted again, the horned tyrant running right behind him while more creatures with riders appeared. Up above, winged dragons, massive birds, more griffons, hippogriffs, flying horses, and giant flying pokemon with riders appeared from the darkness.
A cloaked elven woman with pale skin and blood-red eyes appeared before the soldier, who stopped dead in his tracks in fear. The elf's red nails turned into claws, before she charged toward Lantis while the horned tyrant lunged with s nap of its jaws. But, Lantis dodged both attacks, got off his mount who flew off, fire burning at its hooves. The elven slashed her claws at Lantis again as he climbed up the tower. He got a scratch on his lower leg, which caused him terrible pain. He clutched his leg for a moment, before finishing his climb.
Lantis grabbed a torch, ready to throw it into a cauldron when suddenly, a hooded and cloaked figure appeared before him. He gasped, knowing exactly who the person was: Aaravos, a great Startouch elven mage, master of the six primal source of his people. Aaravos, who was banished from the kingdom 16 years ago. The spitfire bird from before landed on the elven mage's shoulder. Looking closely, Lantis can see a spitfire blossom on the left side of Aaravos' cloak, clearly fuel for the bird as spitfire birds get some of the chemicals they made their acidic weapon with from the flowers. Shaking himself out of his stupor, Lantis threw the torch into the torch, igniting the tar inside and a great flame burst forward.
Aaravos watched as soldiers at other signal towers saw the flame, and now knowing of an invasion, lit their own fires, all the while shouting "Light the signal!".
Lantis faced Aaravos with a steely glare, "Now, all of Vegetasei knows you're here!" he growled lowly.
But Aaravos did not care. He just simply snapped off a flag of the kingdom and put it into the fire, watching it burn.
"Perfect," he said in a deep baritone voice, his yellow eyes gleamed with vengeful malice in them.
(Vegetasei's capital)
General Larfarga entered King Vegeta's throne room with two other soldiers at his side. His heart felt heavy with the report he is to give to his king, a report he never thought he would give. Especially not after reading the message about a new threat that came from the northern border on a messenger bird. Not only that, but the message revealed the identity of the threat's leader, which sent a chill down the general's spine. Nevertheless, he knew that the king needed to know. So, they can try to fight off the threat that has came. Especially their leader, even if he dreaded to reveal his identity to the king and knew of his immense power. Larfarga and the two soldiers knelt respectfully before their king.
"Your Majesty" Larfarga spoke with seriousness and urgency. "A new threat has crossed the northern border."
"Impossible! The mountains lining it are nearly impossible to cross and impenetrable!" protested the king's advisor, Zorn. But, King Vegeta silenced him with his hand.
"They crossed using caves and some of them even flew over!" Larfarga said.
"What!?" Zorn exclaimed. King Vegeta's face remain stoic, but with a hint of surprise.
"And there's more." Larfaga continued, then paused, dreading the words he's about to say next. "Aaravos has returned and is leading them!"
This shocked Zorn outwardly, while the king became more surprised, fear growing in his eyes. He feared that Aaravos would return one day, despite personally banishing the elven mage himself 16 years ago. He remembered the angry look on Aaravos' face and his vow for revenge, despite his exile meaning to last forever. Even more so, he now fear more than ever that he and his forces will come for the one person Aaravos care more than anything in the world, despite her being under his protection. The one who was once taken away from him.
"We'll sent up defenses around your palace immediately!" Larfarga said.
"No!" King Vegeta said back, standing up from his throne. "Send your troops to protect my people!" He turned to Zorn. "Zorn!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" Zorn bowed in respect, his left hand over his heart.
"Deliver conspiration notices throughout all of Vegetasei! Call up reserves and as many new recruits as possible." King Vegeta ordered as he walked down the stairs towards Larfarga who stood up.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Larfarga said, putting his balled up hand over his heart and bowing. "But, I believe my troops and best student can stop him."
"I won't take any chances, General." King Vegeta said. "A single tiny feather can tip the scale. One man may be the difference between victory and defeat."
