Marcus ordered his men to leave the camp and abandon it completely. The night air was tense, the smell of gunpowder still faint in the wind. His lieutenant, Eriar Vance, looked at him with concern.
"What are you planning to do, sir?" Eriar asked.
Marcus replied, "We will hide on that hill. The camp will be left behind, and when the enemy enters it, our mages will cast fire spells. They will burn everything inside. Understood? One volunteer unit will stay to make it look occupied."
Lieutenant Vance nodded. "Yes, sir."
He immediately gave the order. The troops began to move. Riflemen and artillery were positioned on Naran Hill, overlooking the valley. The mages prepared their fire spells, ready to strike on command. A small group of infantry remained in the camp as bait, setting up empty tents and lighting campfires to make it seem full.
At dawn, the sound of drums echoed from the distance. The Asterian army advanced in tight formation, thousands strong. Their cuirassier cavalry led the charge, banners waving under the red morning sky.
The Eclipian artillery opened fire first. Cannonballs tore through the advancing ranks, followed by a volley of musket fire. Smoke filled the air. The Asterians pressed on despite heavy losses, believing victory was near.
The Eclipian soldiers who remained in the camp began to fall back on cue. The Asterians saw them retreating and cheered, believing the Eclipians were breaking. They rushed forward, storming the camp.
But victory never came.
Marcus raised his hand from the hilltop. "Now!"
The Eclipian artillery roared once again. Cannonballs crashed into the camp, and the mages unleashed torrents of fire. The tents ignited instantly, flames spreading through the field. The Asterian soldiers screamed as chaos consumed them.
Trapped between fire and bullets, their formations broke apart. Marcus's men opened fire from all sides, cutting down the confused enemy. The Asterians tried to retreat, but it was too late. Their numbers fell rapidly under the relentless Eclipian attack.
From nearly five thousand strong, only a few hundred managed to flee back toward Là Nasiàn. It was a crushing defeat one that would haunt the Asterian command.
Marcus watched the battlefield from the hill. The flames reflected in his eyes as he spoke quietly, "Advance. We march to Là Nasiàn."
On the other side, the surviving Asterian cuirassier officer galloped through the streets of Là Nasiàn. Covered in dirt and blood, he rushed into the headquarters of the 5th Asterian General, who was waiting with a grim face.
"General! The Eclipians are coming! They destroyed our forces at Naran Hill. Thousands are dead!" the officer shouted.
The 5th General fell silent, staring at the map before him. He knew retreat meant abandoning the city and its civilians. Slowly, he removed his gloves and said, "We will not run. We defend this city."
He then handed the cuirassier officer a sealed letter. "Deliver this to my family… if you survive."
The officer saluted, and rode out of the city.
Back on the march, Marcus's army moved steadily toward Là Nasiàn. The banners of Eclipia fluttered in the wind. The Battle of Naran Hill was over, but a greater one was about to begin.