Human territory, just beyond the Armand border.
King Edmund's war camp.
Edmund sat tall upon his massive warhorse, its body wreathed in a swirling shroud of dark aura, red eyes burning like coals.
The deep, distant explosions rolled across the plains
Louder.
Closer.
Each explosion rolled like thunder across the plains.
The screams followed soon after shrieks of agony that cut through the wind.
The sound carried from far beyond the camp, each wail twisting into something raw, something delicious to a man like Edmund.
Edmund's lips spread into a slow, crooked grin.
"Ohhh…" he exhaled, his voice low, savoring each syllable. "That sound… the panic in their voices… savory. Savory indeed."
The dark aura clinging to his armor seemed to thicken, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. His fingers twitched with anticipation, the urge to slaughter crawling through every vein.
He turned his gaze over his shoulder.
Behind him.
