"Thank you."

Sheira's POV

A month drifted by since the harrowing expedition, the bitter taste of failure lingering in our memories, a costly reminder of the challenges we faced. In the wake of our defeat, we devoted ourselves to rigorous training, honing our skills for the battles that loomed ahead. Now, with a month's worth of preparation under our belts, we stand poised for another expedition, determined to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Heians. The training grounds have shaped us, and with newfound resilience, we embark on this journey, hoping to unravel the secrets that eluded us before.

Cara's voice sliced through the air, urgency coloring each syllable. "A Heian approaches!"

This time, I hesitated to charge recklessly. Another soldier lost wasn't a burden I could bear. With a swift, purposeful draw, my sharp sword gleamed in the dim light.

"Fall back, everyone! I've got this," my command rang out, the weight of responsibility evident in the swing of my blade as I kept the creature at bay.

The battlefield's heartbeat quickened, a silent plea echoing as I defended. Dreams and loved ones back home relied on my steadfastness.

No room for the echoes of past mistakes. This was the moment to prove remorse, for our fallen comrades.

Defense prevailed over offense; engaging in combat was a futile dance with death. Every second bought for the group is important.

Suddenly, the creature lunged. Swift parry, calculated and precise. A single misstep could spell my demise, and the responsibility to protect weighed on my shoulders as their leader.

Agility became the measure of survival, a dance with the Heian's relentless attacks. A single hit could shatter the delicate balance. Alertness became my mantra; there was no room for error. One chance, one trust. The safety of the group hinged on this moment, a survival saga unfolding.

The Heian struck again, and I narrowly dodged, the ever-present risk of misstep hovering. One mistake, and peril would engulf us all.

Peril manifested as the Heian targeted my face. Lost in thought, snapped back to reality as a sword flashed before my eyes, blocking the impending strike. Eamon and his squad had arrived.

A smile crossed my lips, but Eamon's expression remained unwavering.

"Tsk. Lost in your thoughts again. Snap out of it, pillow face," he chided.

"S-sorry," I stammered.

"Everyone, fall back! Assist Squad C!" Eamon's command resonated, met with the soldiers' swift acknowledgment.

"Hey! Pillow face," he called.

"Me?" I questioned.

"Get moving and help your squad upfront," he directed.

"Y-yes!"

Duty reclaimed my focus, a timely reminder of Eamon's intervention. Rejoining my team swiftly, I stood ready, unwavering in the face of the Heians' surprise attacks.

"Everyone good? Sorry for bailing on you guys," I apologized.

"No worries, we're all good," Cara assured.

"You were keeping us from getting hit," Blair acknowledged.

"You were ready to go down for us, huh? Thanks!" Aria expressed gratitude.

Their words brought a fleeting grin, but the battle persisted-we were still entrenched in the thick of it.

As time passed, the silhouette of the gates gradually materialized on the horizon, a distant yet welcome sight marking the end of our expedition.

"We're almost at the gates! Let's move!"

We're a solid unit, and it shows. But without knowing the Heians' weak spot, we're stuck. The losses aren't as bad as before, but there are still those who won't make it back home.

A sudden cry echoed through the air. "Watch out!" a woman shouted.

From the shadows, a Heian surged from the backline, seizing a soldier. Panic paralyzed us as it dragged him away, the ominous promise of a deadly finale looming.

In the tense stillness, Eamon erupted into motion, a force unleashed, hurtling towards the Heian.

Without pause, he cleaved its neck, a testament to his lightning speed and raw strength, severing the beast's life with a single, decisive stroke.

"Tsk, bad dog," said Eamon as he ripped the creature's neck

His sword... It worked. The neck is their weak spot!

Eamon's boots thudded against the decapitated Heian's head as he landed. Stunned, we rushed over. The soldier who was dragged away survived, but he's in bad shape. We need to get him medical help, fast. We decided to leave the Heian behind, not wanting to lose another soldier.

Back at the kingdom, my squad and I returned safely and so Eamon, safely led his troops back too. I sighed, "Quite a day."

Today was unlike any other. Amidst the events that unfolded, a significant revelation emerged - we discovered the Heians' Achilles heel, their neck. A well-aimed slash there, and victory was within reach.

"Sheira!" A gentle voice called my name.

"Big bro Yuri!"

"You're back." His warm smile greeted us like a homecoming banner after the intense Heian battles. His smile, an instant chill pill, eased the tension.

"Got some news for ya."

"Tell me."

"We found the Heian's weak spot. It's their neck."

"Hmm..." Yuri paused. He fell silent momentarily before finally he opened his mouth and said, "Wait, what?"

"We found the Heian's weak-"

"Seriously!? You figured out their weak point!?" His voice, filled with excitement.

Yuri's excitement drew a crowd, and the space felt cramped. But it didn't matter. It was a momentous occasion. For years, we battled the Heians with no progress. Today marked a turning point, a day to be remembered in the annals of our struggle. We've got this.

Eamon's POV

We've found the Heian's weakness. That'll make future battles easier. This discovery is our ticket to beating them and keeping the kingdom peaceful.

Progress inches closer. "Finally," I sighed, a breath laced with a mix of relief and anticipation.

To be continued...