Inside the castle, Lord Elric stood resolute, rallying his remaining forces. "Hold the line!" he shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Protect the people!"
But the enemy was relentless. Tomoe's soldiers overwhelmed the defenders with ruthless efficiency, cutting them down one by one. The streets of Wyrmbrook ran red with blood as flames consumed the town.
Lord Elric fought valiantly, his blade flashing in the firelight as he struck down one invader after another. But when Tomoe herself entered the fray, flanked by Arakenys, the tide turned irrevocably.
"You're Elric, the so-called Shield of the East?" Tomoe sneered, her cruel smile framed by the bloodstains on her face.
Elric raised his sword, his gaze unwavering. "You'll find this shield harder to break than you think."
Their duel was brief but brutal. Tomoe's skill and strength were unmatched, and with a devastating strike, she disarmed Elric, sending his sword clattering to the ground.