Villain Throne:I Build An Empire On Bones

The bandit camp was a living hell. Blood soaked the dirt, mixing with ash as flames swallowed tents whole. Sparks danced in the thick, black smoke choking the sky. Broken walls stood like shattered bones, skulls hanging on ropes, swaying in the burning wind. The stench hit hard—burned flesh, sweat, and ruined earth. Screams tore through the night, steel clashing under a cold, dark moon. The machinery group attacked like wolves, turning the camp into a slaughter pit.

Zairen and Edna charged into the fray. Though the bandits outnumbered them, most matched the mercenaries' strength. Yet, their poor coordination and weak strategy left them faltering. Chaos reigned—spells flared, swords clashed. Zairen's red eyes glowed, a spark in his hand, his Sword dripping with blood from past strikes. Edna, her brown hair soaked with sweat, clutched her dagger, her face fierce with determination.

"Zairen, move!" Edna yelled, her voice piercing the din. "We must tell Captain the captives are free!" Zairen nodded, calm yet lethal. Mira and Taz joined them. Edna frowned at Mira, "Why are you here? Aren't you with the others?" Mira replied, "Soran and Kael are guarding the escape route. We're here to back you up!" Edna nodded, "Let's go—no time to waste!" They pressed forward together.

Zairen,Edna,Mira and Taz joined the fight, swinging blades and casting spells with fierce energy. Edna unleashed her power like a storm. She raised her hand, sending a water blast that smashed a bandit's chest, bones cracking loudly. With a quick flick, sharp rocks stabbed another's throat, blood gurgling as he fell. A fire whip lashed out, burning a third bandit's face, his skin melting as he cried out in agony. Zairen moved like a shadow, his sword sheathed, waiting for the right strike, his mind sharp with old battle instincts.

A sudden shout broke their focus. A bandit charged from behind, axe raised high, roaring with rage. Zairen's senses sharpened instantly. He drew his blade, magic pulsing along the blade. In one smooth move, he stabbed backward, the steel piercing the bandit's heart with a wet crunch. Blood sprayed as the man dropped, twitching in the dirt. Edna glanced back, nodding sharply. "Good one, Zairen. Keep pushing!"

They advanced, their boots slipping on blood and ash. Edna's magic erupted—water blades sliced through arms, stone spikes crushed skulls, and fireballs turned flesh to cinders. Zairen struck only when needed: a quick slash across a throat, a chop to an arm, a stab to a chest. The ground grew slick with debris, the air thick with the smell of battle.

In the chaos of blood and fire, death's song rang out,

Where broken spirits fell and darkness took hold.

The central camp buzzed with raw power. Varek, towering in his scarred armor, faced the bandit chief—a heavy, sweaty man with a scarred face and patchy beard. His axe glowed with dark magic, clashing with Varek's longsword, sending sparks flying. To Zairen, it looked like a hero battling a beast. Around them, Varek's four two-star magi fought six bandit with two star magi strength in a tough struggle. The bandits were hurt—one missing an arm, another bleeding badly—but Varek's team was also exhausted, their magic fading, bodies bruised. Fire blazed, ice shattered shields, and lightning left charred marks.

Varek roared, "Zairen! Edna! Help my men! Mira! heal the injured, and Taz, take care of the fallen." They nodded and split up. Edna grabbed Zairen's arm. "Stay close," she said, unaware of his hidden strength as a first-class magi. Zairen's red eyes flickered with a secret, deep and ancient.

Then it happened. The bandit chief swung his axe with brutal force at Varek, who dropped to one knee, blocking it with a groan. The chief's laugh boomed, cruel and loud. "Your strategy's trash! You're all dead—hahaha!" Varek's face twisted into a dark, savage smile. With a raw burst of strength, he shoved the axe back, forcing the chief to stumble. "Let's see who dies and who wins," Varek snarled. The chief barely caught himself, and their fight exploded again, steel screaming.

Edna targeted a wounded bandit magi—a red-haired woman with cold green eyes. Despite a cut leg and burned arm, she fought fiercely. Edna's water spear flew, but the woman's fire wall blocked it, steam hissing. Edna hurled a rock at her chest, but the woman's fire whip split it apart. Their magic clashed—water against fire, steam filling the air. The bandit's fireball broke Edna's shield, flames scorching her arm. She gasped, stumbling as her dagger fell. The woman stepped closer, her flaming dagger raised. "You're finished!" she hissed, her grin evil.

Zairen, facing a thin bandit with lightning, dodged a bolt. His blade flashed with wind magic, slicing the air as he stabbed the man's heart, blood gushing as he fell. Spotting Edna's danger, Zairen's mind raced with memories of past wars. He moved like a ghost, his blade glowing. The red-haired magi lunged at Edna, but Zairen tricked her. He stepped back, pretending to stumble, letting her think she had the upper hand. She grinned and attacked—then Zairen struck. His wind blade cut her arm off, blood spraying as she screamed and fell. His eyes turned cold. "This ends," he whispered. His blade slashed, a magic burst splitting her from shoulder to hip. Her body broke apart, blood steaming on the ground, her green eyes fading.

Edna stared, chest heaving, arm dripping red. Zairen's tachi shone with blood, his grip steady. He held out a hand. "You okay?" he asked, voice low. Edna nodded, pain stabbing her. "Zairen, you played her! I didn't know you're that strong." Zairen's faint smile flickered. "Her pride killed her. Stay sharp—we're not done." Edna stood, grit outweighing her hurt. Mira rushed over, healing her arm with a soft light

The fight didn't stop. Varek's magi fought harder, their spells flaring bright. Varek and the chief's duel rocked the earth. The bandit unleashed a black tendril from his axe—a cursed artifact that hit Varek like a punch, making him stagger. The camp blazed, towers crashing down. Zairen and Edna dove back in, blades up, hearts burning for the win