The Power of Crystals

The battle outside the city's gates grew more intense. Explosions and the thunderous roar of the crystal war machines splitting the earth echoed throughout El-Mahra. The power of these machines tore apart the city's defenses, while the enemy forces continued their assault with ever-increasing determination.

William stood tall in the palace's underground chamber, his eyes full of calculation. Khadija and Alya stood by his side, preparing to face the next wave of attacks.

"We can't hold out much longer," William said, his voice low and tense. "If they keep hammering us with attacks like this, the city will fall in no time."

Khadija looked at the screen showing the battle conditions outside. "They're using Luminaris crystals in their war machines. It's an incredible energy source, but we can use it against them, if we know how."

"Can we stop their war machines?" Alya asked, looking at Khadija with faint hope.

Khadija sighed. "Maybe. My team of scientists and I have developed a device that can redirect their crystal energy, but we have to access the core of the machine to destroy it. That's the issue."

William clenched his hands, feeling the rising tension. "So, we have to attack them out there?"

Khadija nodded. "I'll lead the team of scientists to prepare the device. William, Alya, you two will lead the assault on the battlefield. We have to stop their war machines from within, before they can use them to destroy the city."

Alya nodded firmly, her eyes full of resolve. "We have no other choice. I'll make sure we reach the machine's core."

William looked at both of them with doubt, but also a great sense of responsibility. "If we fail, it will all be for nothing. But if we succeed, we can turn the tide of this battle."

---

Outside the city, the enemy forces drew closer. Their crystal war machines began to smash through El-Mahra's defense walls, unleashing waves of energy that destroyed everything in their path. The soldiers of El-Mahra fought with all their might, but they knew their strength was no match for the power of the approaching war machines.

The enemy commander, the man in a black cloak, stood before the crumbled gates, watching the chaos unfold. His face was cold, showing no satisfaction despite his forces breaching most of the defenses.

"Speed up the assault," he ordered in a low voice. "We must break through this city and seize the Luminaris before they can put up any resistance."

Meanwhile, the remaining soldiers of El-Mahra began retreating into the city, hiding behind the remaining buildings, trying to plan their next move.

---

Inside the palace, William, Khadija, and Alya were ready to depart. They donned their protective gear and carried weapons, preparing for the perilous journey to the battlefield.

"I'll pave the way for you," Alya said, her voice full of enthusiasm. "You have to get to the machine's core as quickly as possible."

William looked at Alya seriously. "Be careful, Alya. If we fail, this will be a huge gamble."

Alya smiled faintly. "I'll be back. We'll all be back."

With that, Alya ran out, navigating the hidden corridors toward the palace's back gate, where she could begin her journey to the dangerous frontlines.

Khadija sighed. "If we succeed, we can destroy their war machines with the energy from the Luminaris crystals. But if we fail, this will be the end of El-Mahra."

William looked at her with determination. "We have no other choice. We have to fight until the end."

---

That night, the battlefield of El-Mahra was filled with destruction. The remaining El-Mahra forces fought with everything they had, trying to fend off the enemy's increasingly relentless attacks. The crystal war machines continued firing destructive energy waves, while the enemy soldiers advanced with unwavering confidence.

However, even though it seemed like everything would come to an end for El-Mahra, there was a glimmer of hope shining from within the city.

Alya arrived at the main battleground, where the crystal war machine stood strong amidst the ruin. With incredible speed, she moved between the rubble, crossing a battlefield littered with the remains of destroyed buildings. She looked toward the large, gleaming war machine, knowing that the only way to defeat the enemy forces was to destroy the core of that machine.

Amid the chaotic battlefield, Alya managed to infiltrate the building where the war machine was hidden. Inside, she saw the El-Mahra scientists working to redirect the crystal energy powering the war machine. Without hesitation, Alya joined them, helping activate the device that would alter the flow of energy within the war machine.

"Hurry! We only have a few minutes!" Alya shouted to the scientists.

They worked quickly, and within seconds, the device that had been installed began redirecting energy from the war machine. However, shortly after, the war machine started to tremble violently, as if reacting to their efforts.

"Something's wrong!" one of the scientists shouted. "The core of this machine is too powerful! We need to stop it before it explodes!"

Alya gritted her teeth, trying to divert the machine's attention in another way, but a massive explosion was unavoidable.

"Let's hope this works," Alya muttered before leaping back, running to a safer spot. A loud explosion rang out, shaking all of El-Mahra, sending shockwaves that destroyed much of the enemy's war machines.