Lyanna’s wings cut through the air as she led her army forward. She was at the vanguard, her every motion purposeful, her gaze fixed on the Factory ahead. Her heart was heavy, her thoughts clouded with the battle to come.

  As she soared closer, a cold knot formed in her stomach. She saw them, the winged golems. Their metallic forms glinted in the sky, their sharp claws and jagged wings soaring through the air in perfect, deadly unison. Each one was a mass of metal, a flying weapon, their hollow eyes glowing with an unsettling light. And they were coming for Highhaven.

  Her twin short swords gleamed in the fading light, their razor-sharp edges glinting as she prepared for the first blow. Her rangers, her fae, her allies, they flanked her on either side, some braver than others, but all of them willing to fight and die for Highhaven. They were about to clash. Flesh and bone against gears and steel, magic against mechanization.

  The two armies met in a violent clash in the air, the sound of metal on metal ringing through the sky like the sharp clash of thunder. Lyanna’s swords slashed out in a blur of motion, the twin blades finding their mark, but the golems did not falter.

  Lyanna moved with the fluid grace of a dancer, her strikes were swift, but the golems’ metallic frames were far more resilient than she had anticipated. Each clash with their razor-sharp claws sent vibrations through her arms, but the golems barely flinched. Her blades barely left a mark.

  Her more inexperienced ranger allies struggled to hold their ground, their arrows and blades bouncing off the golems’ impenetrable armor. Their strikes lacked the precision of her own, and the golems tore through their ranks like a storm through autumn leaves. Lyanna’s heart sank as she saw her fellow rangers, falling one by one. The seemingly small number of enemies was enough to decimate their lines.

  The machines were relentless, undeterred by the slashes that should have been deadly. They kept advancing, each step synchronized, as if part of some grand mechanical design. She could feel the weight of their failure pressing on her chest.

  They were losing.

  In a split second, Lyanna summoned her magic. She raised her hands to the sky, gathering the power of the flames within her, feeling the heat surge through her veins. With a forceful push, she unleashed her Fire Blast, a torrent of flame bursting from her hands, engulfing the golems around her.

  The fire was blinding, fierce, and for a moment, Lyanna believed she had struck a decisive blow. But the golems, their cold metallic bodies seemingly unaffected by the blast, kept advancing, their relentless momentum unbroken.

  No, Lyanna thought. This cannot be the end. Her heart pounded as she darted between the golems, her swords clashing again and again with their claws, her mind racing. She could see no way to defeat them. Their strength, their resilience, they were unlike any enemy she had ever faced.

  In desperation, Lyanna summoned more magic, her hands crackling with energy as she summoned icicles from the air. The sharp projectiles shot forward, striking one of the golems square in the chest. Ice spread over its body, encasing it in a thick layer.

  But it was not enough. The golem shattered the ice with ease, its mechanical limbs grinding against the frozen shell until it was free. Lyanna’s heart sank, and she barely dodged a blow from another golem flying behind her, its claws cutting through the air with deadly intent. She swung her swords in a quick arc, parrying, but her efforts were in vain. She was no match for their relentless assault.

  They will overwhelm us, she thought, the grim truth seeping into her mind.

  That’s when she heard it. A faint sound behind her, a whir of metal. She turned just in time to see another golem charging at her from above, its claws outstretched, ready to strike.

  In a moment of desperation, Lyanna’s instincts kicked in. Her mind snapped back to her training, to the lessons passed down through generations of fae. She reached deep within, summoning the raw power of lightning, a force as old as the storms themselves. With a fierce cry, she released Lightning Arrow, a bolt of pure energy streaking through the air.

  The arrow of lightning struck the golem directly in its chest, and for a split second, it seemed to freeze in midair, its wings faltering. The golem dropped like a stone, crashing to the ground below with a deafening crash.

  “Use lightning!” she shouted, her voice carrying over the battlefield, sharp and commanding. “Strike them down with lightning!”

  Her call rang through the air like a beacon, and a few of the rangers, their faces strained with exhaustion, nodded in understanding. The faint crackle of lightning followed as they drew on their own magic, sending bolts of electricity coursing toward the flying golems.

  Lyanna’s voice cut through the chaos, her command to the fae rangers sharp and clear amidst the crash of metal against metal.

  Oluru's hand was outstretched to Mother Crystal as the immense energy within the fae heart responded to his will. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, feeling the pulse of raw power of lightning surged through him. The link to Lyanna’s call was instantaneous, her need echoing through the magic.

  And in that instant, Oluru acted.

  A translucent sphere emerged above the battlefield. It was massive, a shimmering dome of light and energy that expanded outward, covering the fighting armies. Inside, lightning crackled with vicious intensity, snapping through the air like the teeth of a beast. The electric energy surged toward the mechanical golems, striking them with blinding force. Each bolt of lightning hit the metal figures, sending sparks flying, the energy coursing through them like a surge of venom.

  For a moment, the golems faltered, their movements jerky and disoriented as the electricity disrupted their delicate systems. The golems were powerful, but even their mechanical bodies seemed vulnerable to the raw power of the fae’s magic.

  But Avaris was not one to yield so easily.

  “Simple tricks by simple mages,” Avaris’s voice rang out, his tone thick with disdain. “Winged Division 3 and 4, reinforce!”

  From the Factory came the unmistakable sound of gears grinding and engines roaring to life. More winged golems began to self-assemble, their wings unfurling swiftly. The new golems took flight, their sharp claws extending like deadly talons as they moved in formation, cutting through the storm with the relentlessness of predators. Kael’s gaze flicked across the battlefield, watching as the new reinforcements dove toward the fae army.

  “How many golems does Avaris have?” Kael muttered.

  But he knew. He knew that simply sending golems into this death trap would not win them this war. The golems were powerful, but they were not invincible. The fae's magic, the lightning, had already shown its effect. It was only a matter of time before the tide of battle turned. The golems needed to be used wisely, and throwing them into the fray blindly would be a mistake.

  He took a deep breath, the weight of the battle ahead settling in his chest. This war is not won by sheer strength alone, he thought. Avaris has power, yes, but it’s the way that power is used that will determine the outcome.

  Kael watched as Avaris’s golems from Winged Division 3 and 4 dove into the sphere of lightning and electric energy. They flared with an ominous crackle, their wings faltering as arcs of electricity struck them down one by one. The golems exploded in sparks and gears, their metal bodies crumpling as the lightning surged through them like a storm bent on their destruction.

  But as Kael watched, a seething voice cut through the tension like a blade.

  “Lira! Go with Division 5 and 6!” Avaris’s roar echoed over the battlefield, the frustration in his voice unmistakable. The orders rang out with a clarity that was almost mechanical, his voice commanding the movements of his golems as though they were pieces on a chessboard.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  But before Lira could take to the skies, another explosion of energy rattled the air. A colossal steel rod, similar to the one that had been fired before, shot toward Highhaven from the Factory.

  Then, without warning, the electric sphere around the battlefield flickered and dissipated, its energy breaking apart in an instant. But Kael wasn’t surprised. He had expected this.

  The hexagonal shield around Highhaven reformed, glowing fiercely as it intercepted the rod mid-flight. The steel projectile, once unstoppable, slammed into the shield, bending violently from the sudden resistance.

  It fell to the ground with a thunderous crash, the sound reverberating through the earth like a violent thunderclap. Highhaven had proven once again that it was not an easy target.

  But Avaris was far from pleased. His voice rang out again, louder now, filled with rage. “What is this nonsense you are pulling, Kael?!”

  Kael stood tall, unfazed by Avaris’s fury. His grip tightened around his orb, and his voice was steady as he replied, “The person casting the spell needs to defend too. If you strike the caster, the shield falters.”

  "I am the commander here, Kael. This is not a strategy meeting. You’ll follow my orders.”

  Without waiting for Kael to respond, Avaris barked another command. “Load another wisp. Now.”

  Kael didn’t hesitate. He reached out to his orb, calling forth the next wisp. He felt the familiar energy surge through his body, the warmth of magic filling the air around him. He would follow Avaris’s orders for now. But his mind was already a few steps ahead, ready to turn the tides when the opportunity arose.

  In the heart of Highhaven, Oluru stood tall, his white cloak whipped by the air, his faced unnaturally calm. His outstretched hands crackling with the energy of sun and the moon. His fingers trembled with the sheer power as he channeled his magic, releasing the blinding beam of light.

  The beam shot from him like a lightning strike, streaking across the sky and slamming into the base of the Factory. The impact was immediate. Powerful, destructive. The beam of light lanced through the Factory’s towering form, striking at the enormous wheels that had been driving the mechanical beast forward.

  The Factory, once a relentless war machine, groaned in protest. Kael watched from the Skull as the great structure tilted at a dangerous angle. The force of the beam had torn into the wheels, their enormous teeth bent and cracked, sending vibrations through the entire structure.

  Lorran, his many wobbly arms twitching with anxiety, turned to Avaris. "The wheels are damaged," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "The Factory will not be able to move forward unless we make repairs."

  Avaris, ever calm despite the chaos, tightened his jaw and scanned the situation with a calculated precision. He didn’t hesitate for a moment.

  "Titanus Division," he called, his voice commanding. "Get to work. Repair the wheels. Now. Winged Divisions 5 and 6, go forth!" Avaris commanded.

  His gaze swept toward Lira, who stood ready at the front, her massive mace held with ease. "Lira, you know your task. Clear the skies.”

  Lira didn’t hesitate. Her mechanical wings unfurled, their weight lifting her effortlessly into the air. She soared upwards, cutting through the air like a falcon hunting its prey. The winged golems followed, their claws extended, the rhythmic beating of their wings filling the air with a deep, almost ominous thrum.

  Around Lira, the winged golems formed a perfect formation, their mechanical precision a stark contrast to the organic grace of the fae who had once ruled the skies. The air seemed to ripple with the intensity of their charge, each golem locked in its deadly mission to tear apart the defenses of Highhaven.

  Lyanna hovered high in the air, her wings beating with powerful grace as she surveyed the scene unfolding between Highhaven and the unmoving Factory. Around her, the fae warriors readied themselves, preparing to hold the line against the encroaching mechanical threat.

  Lyanna hovered high in the air, her wings beating with powerful grace as she observed the battle between the fae of Highhaven and the golems of the Factory. Around her, the fae warriors readied themselves, preparing to hold the line against the encroaching mechanical threat.

  A new wave of golems emerged from the Factory, their forms cutting through the air. But what caught Lyanna’s eye, what made her heart sink, was the figure among them. A deep red Master with horns, her mechanical wings beating as powerfully as the golems around her. Her presence was as terrifying as it was grotesque, a melding of flesh and metal that seemed as unnatural as the Factory itself.

  Lyanna gritted her teeth and held on to her blades tightly, her resolve hardening. She would not allow the fae to be overwhelmed by this abomination.

  Lira moved through the chaos with brutal precision. Her mechanical wings cut through the air as she swung her massive mace with devastating force. The weapon came down with a sickening thud, crushing the body of a fae recruit beneath it. Lira was a menace, a whirlwind of metal and power, dodging lightning spells with ease, backflipping over one fae as their swords slashed toward her.

  Lira’s mace swung strongly again, crushing another recruit and sending their remains crashing into a nearby tree, her mechanical wings flaring as she moved to the next target. She fought with the fluidity of a dancer, her strikes almost graceful in their brutality.

  Lyanna’s blood boiled at the sight of her and she knew there was no room for hesitation. She charged forward, her blades flashing in the air as she dove toward the combat.

  As she neared Lira, Lyanna shouted a battle cry, her twin short swords raised high. She launched herself forward, aiming for Lira’s exposed flank. But the mechanical Master was too quick. Lira spun, her mace swinging in a wide arc, blocking Lyanna’s strike with ease. The force of the collision sent a jolt of pain through Lyanna’s arms, but she pressed forward, undeterred.

  Lyanna pushed herself harder, dodging Lira’s blows as they exchanged strikes, each one more desperate than the last. The Master was good, better than Lyanna had ever imagined, but Lyanna was a fae, and her agility was her greatest weapon. Her movements were fluid, like water, as she ducked and weaved between Lira’s attacks.

  In the Factory, Avaris’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. "Kael! Fire!"

  Kael’s hands tightened around his orb, his gaze flicking from the chaos unfolding around him. His eyes locked onto Lira, her mechanical wings flapping with deadly precision as she clashed against a fae. The green cloak was fluttering in the wind, a warrior of Gold level. The exchange between them was swift and brutal, each strike echoing with the weight of desperation. Yet, for all the grace of the fae, Lira’s mechanical precision seemed to give her the upper hand.

  For now.

  Kael could feel the weight of Avaris’s words pressing down on him, the urgency in his command.

  Avaris’s repeated his command, more urgent than the last. “Fire, nowl!” The words rang in his ears like a hammer against steel. Fire now, Avaris had demanded. But it was too soon.

  Kael tried to focus, tried to push aside the uncertainty. His eyes darted to the horizon, where the battle was raging on and then he saw it.

  A faint glimmer of the sphere reemerging, its edges beginning to shimmer with ethereal energy once more. The timing was crucial.

  Now.

  With a snap of his fingers, Kael detonated Zap-Zap.

  The rod shot forth, cutting through the battle, its force pushing through the chaos. Unlike the first two rods, which had been intercepted by Highhaven’s shield, this one was unstoppable. The shield flickered for an instant before it crumbled under the force, unable to withstand the full brunt of the rod’s momentum.

  Kael’s breath hitched as he watched the rod sail toward its target, the culmination of all his calculations and preparations. And then, with a deafening crash, it slammed into the wooden walls of Highhaven, splintering them upon impact. The ancient timber creaked and groaned from the assault, the force of the blow sending shockwaves throughout the city.

  Oluru staggered for a brief moment, nearly losing his footing. He regained his balance with grace but his face had tightened with the strain of the battle. His voice rang out magically to Lyanna, barely audible over the rumble of the impact. “They’ve timed it... the Shield and Storm Sphere. They’ve gotten the timing down. I can’t switch spells that quickly. I can’t react fast enough.”

  Lyanna, in a midst of combat with Lira, felt the pulse of Oluru’s words strike within her. The mighty power of the fae was not without its limits, and she knew it well.

  Lyanna’s response was swift, and Oluru could almost hear the weight of her resolve in her words. “We fight with what we have. With or without Storm Sphere. Keep the shield up at all costs.”

  They will win without Oluru’s help.

  The red skinned Master soared through the air, her mechanical wings flapped powerfully, cutting through the air with precision. But it wasn’t just her wings that made her deadly. It was the immense mace she wielded, a weapon forged for destruction, capable of shattering anything it struck.

  Lira swung the massive weapon with furious force, the blow coming at Lyanna with deadly speed. But Lyanna, quick as ever, danced out of the way, her body flickering like a ghost in the air. Fae Dance, the ancient technique of their people, allowed her to vanish from sight for a brief moment before reappearing in the blink of an eye. She was everywhere and nowhere at once, her movements almost too fast to follow.

  Lira’s mace smashed into the air where Lyanna had been just a moment before, sending a shockwave of force rippling through the space. Lira’s eyes narrowed in frustration, but before she could react, Lyanna’s blade flashed through the air, slashing across her arm. The blow was quick and precise, cutting through with ease. Lira recoiled, a hiss escaping her as she pulled back, blood seeping from the wound.

  Lira’s expression twisted with rage. Her mechanical wings flared, and with a powerful flap, she shot higher into the sky, attempting to put distance between herself and Lyanna. The mace swung in a wide arc in her retreat, attempting to strike Lyanna out of the air.

  “You can’t escape from me, monster,” Lyanna said, her voice steady.

  Around them, the battle continued to rage. The winged fae fought desperately against the tide of golems, their sharp blades clashing with the cold metal of the enemy. Each strike from the golems was met with resistance, but they were relentless, a swarm of mechanical soldiers pressing forward with unyielding strength.

  This war is far from over.

  The real battle has just begun.

  ******