After several minutes, the battle died down and the last Breeon was killed. Bette, Shane, Kit and Tasha took several moments to collect themselves and catch their breaths as cheering erupted in the forest.

Bette looked around and saw the group of Motars huddled together, a line of cheering Ogres, and a mixture of celebrating Lyrus, sneaky Frog-like monsters called Froilings. She looked up into the trees and saw Shane looking down to her, nodding in approval beside a group of Elves.

Bette stood up straight and sheathed her two swords, taking one last breath before calling out to her comrades.

"Alright everyone! There will be time for celebration when all this is over. Take your formations!"

Growls and war cries rang out through the forest as the army split into groups. Shane dropped down from her tree beside Bette as Tasha and Kit ran up to them.

"Okay" Bette took a breath "We don’t have much time, the rest of her army has to be on alert by now"

Tasha, Shane and Kit walked over to join their respective groups. Tasha was with the Motars and Ogres, they were leading the front line. Shane was with the Elven archers and Kit stood beside the Elven mages.

Bette took a deep breath and took one last look at those that stood before her.

"I wish I had some encouraging speech to give you all . . but the truth is I don’t. This battle will probably one of the fiercest any of you have ever encountered . . many of you may not even make it out alive"

Bette’s words were very grave but spoke with such confidence and strength, all anyone could do was stand there and listen. Not a sound was made by anyone.

"It takes a great deal of courage to stand before me today, to be willing to fight by my side. I cannot express how grateful I am"

She looked at her friends as they each gave her a soft smile.

"My lover is in there . . taken from me by the hands of the very Empress who I’m sure has taken someone from you all as well. This woman is a monster, she has shown no mercy to anyone she’s crossed paths with and today, we will show her the same courtesy she has bestowed upon us. So I ask you now . . are you with me?!"