Amid Anders' internal turmoil, the ground beneath him trembled, accompanied by a distant, rhythmic thud.

"What in the world? Earthquake, maybe?" The crowd shared uncertain glances.

Perplexed, Anders looked behind him and discovered a colossal army emerging from the wooded hills. It numbered in the tens of thousands.

Surveying the scene, he observed an expansive array of soldiers stretching as far as the eye could see. This formidable force wasn't a singular entity. Instead, it comprised eigh