The War Within: Duskfall
Chapter 1: The Isle of Dorn
The evening air in Dornogal was cool when Magister Axiann Sungazer, though still weakened by injuries, summoned Sateel Whitesinger to his bedside. He warned her of an impending Nerubian assault, suspecting the creatures would exploit the East entrance. Empowered to act in his stead, Sateel mobilized Oraine Richwhisper and Mychaelinsay Sunrune, and they set about fortifying the unguarded Eastern gate. It was clear to the Sunreavers that the Nerubians would strike soon, and they moved swiftly to place traps and activate magical wards.
While preparing their defenses, the warning horns within the city blared—indicating an attack was already underway at the main gate. Yet, the Sunreavers remained at the East entrance, understanding they could not leave it unprotected. As they hastened their work, the cool evening shifted abruptly, and a Nerubian strike team emerged. Two Nerubian sharpshooters took positions on the ridges, raining poison-tipped arrows upon the Sunreavers, while a heavily armored centurion emerged from underground, charging toward the city stairs. Mychaelinsay’s traps slowed the centurion, but it remained a formidable threat.
The Sunreavers took cover on the stairs as Sateel prepared to engage the centurion. However, a High Inquisitor emerged on a distant hill, channeling a destructive Shadow Burst that threatened to annihilate the Sunreaver forces. With quick thinking, Oraine activated the Ward of Shielding, generating a protective prismatic barrier. The deadly purple energy of the Shadow Burst collided with the shield and exploded harmlessly, sparing the Sunreavers from certain destruction.
As the battle raged, Sateel attempted to confront the centurion directly but was knocked back, her weapons ineffective against its armored frame. She fell back to recover as Oraine and Mychaelinsay targeted the Nerubian sharpshooters and High Inquisitor. From behind cover, Sateel managed to take down one of the sharpshooters with a well-placed arrow, while Oraine, engulfed in flames, delivered a decisive blow to the centurion, causing it to collapse as it triggered Mychaelinsay’s traps. The High Inquisitor, just moments away from unleashing another Shadow Burst, was overwhelmed and defeated.
With the immediate threat neutralized, the retreat horns sounded. Sateel correctly deduced that this was merely a probing attack. The larger assault on the main gate had been a diversion, while this smaller strike force had been sent to test the defenses of the city. However, thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of the Sunreavers, the Nerubians’ plan failed. After ensuring the East gate was secure, Sateel returned to Magister Axiann to report their success, aware that this was only the beginning of a greater battle yet to come.