As they moved, the Galdorians continued their relentless search. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, and the night was filled with the sounds of death. Kylian could feel the fear gripping his heart, but he pushed it aside, focusing on Loras's lead.

  Kylian could feel the magic starting to fade. The cool, enveloping darkness that had hidden them so effectively was now beginning to lift. His heart pounded as he noticed the first signs, the faint outlines of his comrades becoming visible, their forms gradually materializing in the dim light of the jungle.

  "Loras," Kylian whispered urgently, his eyes wide with realization. "The spell... it's wearing off."

  Loras nodded, his expression grim. "We're out of time." He scanned the jungle, where the Galdorian patrols were closing in, their torches flickering through the trees. "Prepare for an all-out fight," he ordered, his voice low but commanding.

  As the last vestiges of the shadow spell dissipated, the special unit of Alanorian knights became fully visible. The Galdorians, who had been searching for them in vain, now caught sight of the knights. Shouts of alarm went up, and the patrols surged forward, weapons drawn.

  Kylian tightened his grip on his sword, his pulse quickening. This was no longer a covert retreat, this was a battle for survival. The Galdorians charged at them with fierce determination, their numbers swelling as more patrols were alerted.

  "Hold the line!" Loras shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We fight here!"

  Kylian took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. He had trained for this, but the reality of battle was far more brutal than he had imagined. The Galdorians crashed into them with overwhelming force, and the jungle erupted into a cacophony of clashing steel and battle cries.

  Kylian moved with practiced precision, his sword flashing in the dim light as he parried and struck. Each enemy that fell was quickly replaced by another, their relentless assault pushing the Alanorian knights to their limits. Blood splattered across Kylian's face as he fought, the metallic scent mingling with the humid air of the jungle.

  Beside him, Loras fought with unmatched skill, his sword a blur as he cut through the Galdorian ranks. But despite their best efforts, the knights were being pushed back. The Galdorians were relentless, and the once-covert mission had turned into a desperate struggle for survival.

  Kylian's muscles burned with exhaustion, but he refused to give in. He could hear the cries of his comrades as they fell around him, their bodies hitting the ground with sickening thuds. The jungle floor was slick with blood, and the air was thick with the sounds of battle, swords clashing, men shouting, and the anguished cries of the wounded.

  But through the chaos, Kylian's focus never wavered. He moved with purpose, every strike deliberate as he fought to protect those around him. Yet, despite their efforts, the sheer number of Galdorian soldiers was overwhelming. The Alanorian knights were being pushed back, their formation breaking as they tried to retreat.

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  "Loras!" Kylian shouted, ducking under a Galdorian's swing and countering with a lethal thrust. "We're losing ground!"

  Loras glanced over at him, sweat and blood mingling on his brow. "We have to buy the others time to regroup," he yelled back, his voice strained but resolute. "We hold them off here!"

  Kylian nodded, determination surging through him. He knew what was at stake, they couldn't let the Galdorians overrun them. The information they had gathered was too important. Even if it cost them their lives, they had to ensure that at least some of them made it back to Alanor.

  The fighting intensified as the Galdorians pressed their advantage. Kylian found himself surrounded, his sword flashing as he fended off multiple attackers. The knights fought valiantly, but they were outnumbered, and the jungle offered little room for maneuvering. Every step was a struggle, and Kylian's body screamed with exhaustion.

  Suddenly, a Galdorian soldier broke through the line, his sword arcing toward Loras. Kylian saw it out of the corner of his eye, and without thinking, he threw himself between them, parrying the blow at the last second. The impact jarred his arm, but he didn't hesitate, countering with a swift strike that felled the attacker.

  "Thanks," Loras gasped, his eyes briefly meeting Kylian's.

  Kylian nodded, his chest heaving. The knights around them were barely holding on, their ranks thinning as more and more fell to the Galdorian onslaught. The battle had taken its toll, and it was clear that they couldn't hold out much longer.

  "Loras," Kylian shouted over the din of battle, "we have to retreat, or we'll be overrun!"

  Loras's gaze swept the battlefield, taking in the dire situation. With a decisive nod, he signaled the retreat. "Use the blue dust. And fall back! Everyone, fall back!"

  The knights immediately pulled out the blue dust from their pouches and sprayed it on the enemy. They did not know how it did, but the poison dust did its thing, sparkling in the air it blinded the unprepared Galdor pusuers. It gave the much-needed room as they began to pull back, their movements disciplined but desperate. Kylian stayed close to Loras, his sword ready as they ran. The Galdorians pursued them with relentless fury, determined to cut them down before they could escape.

  But Loras and Kylian fought with everything they had, their swords moving in unison as they covered the retreat. Every step was hard-won, every inch gained only through sheer determination. The jungle around them seemed to close in, but they pushed forward, refusing to give up.

  Just when it seemed like the Galdorians would overwhelm them, the jungle thinned, and the edge of the border came into view. Kylian could hardly believe it, they were almost there. But the Galdorians were still on their heels, and they had to keep moving.

  With a final burst of strength, Kylian and Loras broke through the trees, the open field beyond signaling the border of Alanor. The Alanorian army was there, waiting to provide backup. The sight of their comrades gave them the last bit of energy they needed, and they sprinted for the border, the Galdorians hot on their trail.

  As they crossed into Alanorian territory, the Galdorians hesitated, unwilling to pursue them further. The Alanorian army surged forward, cutting off the pursuit and securing the safety of the surviving knights.

  Kylian collapsed to the ground, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. They had made it, barely. The mission had been a success but at a terrible cost. The jungle was behind them now, but the memory of the battle would stay with him forever.

  Beside him, Loras sank to his knees, his face etched with exhaustion and relief. "We did it," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "We made it out."

  Kylian nodded, too tired to speak. The weight of their narrow escape hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the sacrifice and bravery that had brought them this far. He looked back at the jungle, the horrors of the night still fresh in his mind. But they had completed their mission, and the information they had gathered could bring change.