I Breathe Euro

The battlefield had shifted. The alliance had struck the first decisive blow, but Jack knew better than to celebrate too soon. The Dark Forces, though wounded, were not defeated.

Standing atop the fortress walls, Jack observed the flickering torchlights in the distance—the enemy's scattered remnants retreating into the night. The canyon trap had worked, but war was not won with a single victory.

Behind him, the fortress bustled with activity. Messengers ran through the corridors, wounded soldiers were being tended to, and the blacksmiths worked tirelessly to prepare for the next battle.

Katrina stood beside him, her arms crossed. "We need to strike before they recover."

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Jack nodded. "We will. But not yet. We need to solidify our position first."

The Elven Queen, now officially committed to their cause, approached with a composed expression. "The dragons have accepted your leadership, Jack. But they are not yet fully committed to the war."

Jack smirked. "They will be. They just need the right motivation."

And so, Jack set his plan into motion.

Jack wasted no time. He began restructuring the alliance forces, making them more efficient than ever.

1. Dragon-Knight Corps – With the dragons now working alongside them, Jack began training an elite unit of riders who could command the skies. The idea of aerial dominance was unprecedented, and even the Elven Queen was impressed by his foresight.

2. The Titan Guard – Dwarven warriors clad in nearly indestructible armor, wielding weapons enhanced with runes. They were the vanguard, the immovable wall against any assault.

3. The Ghost Walkers – Assassins, spies, and saboteurs. These warriors would infiltrate enemy camps, spreading fear and chaos before any battle even began.

4. The War Mages – Elven magic users, goblin alchemists, and human warlocks combined their knowledge to create devastating spells. Jack had them working on battlefield-wide enchantments that could change the tide of war in an instant.

Within weeks, the alliance forces had transformed into something far beyond what they once were. They were no longer just survivors banding together.

They were an empire in the making.

Jack called a war council. The leaders of every faction were present—the Elven Queen, the Goblin King, the Dwarven Lord, and Katrina, representing the human forces.

Jack stood at the head of the war table.

"The Dark Forces still believe they have the upper hand," he began, his voice steady. "They think we got lucky. They think we lack the strength to push forward."

He placed a dagger onto the map, right at the enemy's stronghold.

"We're going to prove them wrong."

The room was silent. Then, the Goblin King chuckled. "You always come up with the craziest plans, Jack. But I like this one."

The Elven Queen nodded. "If we strike before they recover, we can take their strongest fortress. If we fail, however…"

Jack smirked. "I don't fail."

---

The Assault on the Dark Fortress

The attack began at dawn.

The dragons soared through the sky, raining fire upon the enemy fortifications. The Titan Guard marched forward, their shields locking together in an unbreakable formation. The Ghost Walkers had already infiltrated the fortress the night before, setting up deadly traps to weaken the defenders.

Jack stood on the battlefield, watching as his strategy unfolded perfectly.

Katrina rode alongside the Phantom Riders, leading a charge that broke through the enemy's outer defenses. The War Mages cast a massive storm spell, blinding the defenders as the alliance forces swarmed in.

The battle was brutal, but it was not a contest.

It was a massacre.

Within hours, the Dark Fortress had fallen. The enemy had been utterly crushed, their forces routed, their leaders executed.

Jack walked through the conquered fortress, taking in the sight of his victorious army.

"This," he murmured, "is how you win a war."

With the Dark Fortress now under his control, Jack wasted no time in securing their newfound power.

1. Establishing a Capital – The fortress was rebuilt into the new heart of the alliance, a symbol of their growing dominion.

2. Expanding the Army – More recruits were trained, more weapons forged. Jack knew that this was just the beginning.

3. The Next Target – The enemy still held several key strongholds. Jack was already planning his next move.

As he stood atop the fortress walls, Katrina approached him.

"You did it," she said.

Jack smirked. "Of course I did. Now, let's get ready for the next battle."

And with that, the war continued.

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The war had shifted in Jack's favor, but he knew better than to celebrate prematurely. Taking the Dark Fortress was only the first step. The enemy forces were fractured, but they were not gone. If they were allowed time to regroup, they would come back stronger.

Jack wouldn't let that happen.

From the highest tower of the newly captured fortress, he gazed upon the lands below. Smoke still rose from the battlefield, the scent of victory mixing with the iron tang of blood. His forces had fought brilliantly, but this was just the beginning.

He turned to Katrina and the Elven Queen, both standing beside him.

"We're not stopping here," Jack said, his voice steady. "We need to push forward before they recover."

Katrina nodded. "We should strike their supply lines next. Without food, they'll collapse."

The Elven Queen tapped the map before them. "Agreed. But we must tread carefully. The enemy still has strongholds deeper within the continent. If we move too fast, we risk spreading ourselves too thin."

Jack smirked. "That's why we're not just attacking. We're assimilating."

The two women exchanged glances, waiting for him to elaborate.

Jack placed a dagger onto the map, pointing at the surrounding villages and cities.

"We're not just conquering the enemy—we're absorbing them into our ranks. Any town that surrenders willingly will be protected and given resources. Those that resist? We deal with them swiftly."

The Goblin King, who had been listening quietly, let out a deep chuckle. "You're not just waging war. You're building an empire."

Jack turned to him, his smirk widening. "Exactly."

Jack wasted no time implementing his plan.

1. The Messengers of Unity – He sent diplomats—backed by soldiers—to every nearby settlement, offering them a choice: submit peacefully and become part of the growing alliance, or resist and be destroyed.

2. Strategic Governance – Rather than simply occupying these lands, Jack appointed governors—loyal individuals who could manage the territories effectively while ensuring stability.

3. Resource Distribution – The newly acquired strongholds and fortresses were stocked with supplies. Farmers and merchants were incentivized to continue their work under the alliance's banner.

4. Propaganda & Morale – Stories of Jack's victories spread like wildfire. People began to see him not just as a conqueror, but as a liberator—a man who brought order where there was only chaos.

Within weeks, dozens of settlements had voluntarily joined his ranks. Even those who had once been loyal to the Dark Forces began to waver.

With his forces growing stronger, Jack turned his attention to eliminating lingering threats.

1. The Shadow Remnants – Bands of enemy soldiers who had refused to surrender were hiding in forests, planning to strike back. Jack sent his Ghost Walkers to hunt them down, ensuring no resistance remained.

2. Securing Supply Lines – The war wasn't just about battles. Jack ensured that roads and trade routes were secured so his army could keep moving forward without logistical issues.

3. Expanding the Army – With more people joining his cause, he had more warriors to train. The Dragon-Knight Corps, the Titan Guard, and the War Mages all grew stronger.

4. Scouting the Next Target – Jack knew the Dark Forces still had a capital. He sent his best scouts to gather intelligence on their next move.

Just as everything was falling into place, an urgent report arrived.

A massive force was approaching from the east—an army unlike anything Jack had encountered before.

The scouts who delivered the message were shaken.

"They are not human," one of them whispered. "They are… something else."

Jack's eyes narrowed. "Show me."

The scout unrolled a parchment, revealing a crude but detailed sketch of the enemy.

They were monstrous beings—twisted creatures with glowing red eyes, clad in armor forged from unknown materials.

The Elven Queen's face darkened. "These are not mere soldiers. This… this is an ancient force. One that should not exist."

Katrina clenched her fists. "Then we wipe them out."

Jack smiled. "We will. But first, we need to learn exactly what we're dealing with."

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Jack stood at the war table, his fingers tracing over the map as he analyzed every possible scenario. The approaching army wasn't just another faction of the Dark Forces. This was something… older.

Something far worse.

He glanced at Katrina, the Elven Queen, and the Goblin King. Their expressions told him everything—none of them had expected this.

"What do we know about them?" Jack asked, breaking the silence.

The scout who had delivered the report hesitated before speaking. "They move unlike any army we've faced. There are no supply lines. No signs of food, water, or rest. They march endlessly, never stopping."

Jack's eyes sharpened. "Undead?"

The Elven Queen shook her head. "No. Something worse."

She placed a hand on the map, her fingers trembling slightly as she pointed to a region shrouded in darkness.

"The Lost Empire," she whispered. "I thought it was a myth."

The room fell silent. Even the Goblin King—who feared nothing—looked uneasy.

Katrina narrowed her eyes. "Explain."

The Queen took a deep breath. "Long before the rise of our kingdoms, there was a great empire—one that nearly conquered the entire world. Their soldiers were stronger than orcs, faster than elves, and smarter than humans. They were created through ancient, forbidden magic—living weapons of war. When their empire fell, it was said that they vanished… locked away in time itself."

Jack folded his arms. "Looks like someone unlocked them."

Jack wasn't going to let fear cloud his judgment. If this army had been sealed away, it meant that someone—or something—had released them. That meant they had a weakness.

Step One: Identify the Controller

Jack knew no army operated without a leader. Whether it was a king, a general, or a hidden force pulling the strings, someone had awakened the Lost Empire. Finding them was the first step.

Step Two: Test Their Limits

Jack needed information. Could they bleed? Could they feel pain? Could they tire? He wouldn't send his main forces in blindly. Instead, he would lure them into skirmishes, testing their abilities before engaging in full-scale war.

Step Three: Force the Alliance into Action

The elves, dwarves, goblins, and humans—each had their own agenda. But now? They had no choice but to unite fully. The alternative was extinction. Jack would use this as the final push to solidify his empire.

Jack's scouts had barely returned when the first wave of the Lost Army arrived.

They were not like any army Jack had ever seen.

Towering warriors clad in obsidian armor, their faces hidden beneath ancient helmets. Their eyes glowed with an eerie, ghostly light. Each step they took left cracks in the earth as if the world itself rejected their existence.

Katrina stood beside Jack on the fortress walls, gripping her sword. "They don't look alive."

Jack smirked. "That just means they don't fear death. Good. That makes them predictable."

The Elven Queen, who had just arrived, whispered a spell, enhancing their vision. "They are… bound by something unnatural. If we sever their link to it, they will crumble."

Jack's eyes gleamed. "Then we just need to find the chain and break it."

He turned to his men. "Archers, prepare enchanted arrows. Mages, analyze their structure. Warriors, get ready to engage. We're about to make history."

The ground trembled as the first wave of the Lost Army reached the fortress gates.

Jack raised his sword. "Welcome back to the world, relics. Now let's send you back to the grave where you belong."