They brought him his sword and quickly briefed him on the situation. The sheer scale of the threat only heightened Malik's anxiety. He had just woken up a few moments ago, and now he was expected to save them from total annihilation. What rotten luck. If he failed now, he would either be killed again, or he would be exposed as a fraud, losing any chance to use these people. He still knew nothing about the true capabilities of this "Hero" body and needed time to learn. But right now, he had to think like a commander and find a trick to win this battle.
He grasped the ornate blue sword. This time, its runes did not glow with brilliant golden light; they remained stubbornly dull and lifeless. He remembered the overwhelming terror he had witnessed on the battlefield a century ago. He shoved the memory down, deciding to wear the mantle of a ruler and tactician, just as he had in his real world.
He looked up at them, his voice adopting an authoritative bark.
