Debris rained down, scattering into dust that clung to the air. The heat pressed against their skin before slowly thinning. Rin coughed hard, covering her mouth with her sleeve, then reached for Lyra's hand. "I wasn't expecting that big a reaction."
Virgil's jaw locked, his brow drawn tight. "Reckless," he muttered, smoke still curling from the crumbled stone.
"But it worked, didn't it?" Rin lifted her palm toward the wreckage. What had once been a network of tunnels was now a single, jagged passage plunging deep into the earth. Flames licked along the walls while water dripped in slow rivulets from the cracked ceiling. "I'd say you've been beat, Commander Quinn. Someone will see the worth of this. I'll make sure it's the public."
The Starborn surged forward together, boots hammering against stone as they charged into the gaping corridor. Dust whirled in their wake, swallowed by the glow of scattered firelight.
Julian's glare cut sideways at Virgil. "What are you waiting for?!" He stormed down after them, his pace furious.
Virgil scoffed under his breath but followed, cigarette glowing faint as he stepped into the abyss.
Arthur's hand tightened on his blade, the weight of the air thickening with each stride. "The energy's close," he said quietly, his chest rising with a sharp breath. "This feels like the end."
The answer came as a screech that tore through the tunnel. A blur streaked past, so fast Lyra barely had time to react. Her hand shot out, conjuring a shimmering pink barrier around Elowen. Claws raked across it, cracking the shield in a jagged line.
The figure halted, standing tall in the firelight. Scales rippled along his spine, shifting and breathing like living armor. His grin stretched thin, his sharp eyes locked on Rin.
"Fancy seeing you again," Cain hissed, his voice guttural, a strange resonance behind it. He flexed his clawed fingers, the tunnel heat bending to his presence. "But this time, you're in my den. I don't lose here."
Before anyone could strike, another shadow cut through the air—faster than sight. A black flash slammed into Lyra's barrier, shattering it to shards of light.
Silas landed without a sound, his armored form looming. He caught Elowen in his arms, lowering his helmet until its dark visor faced hers. "Do not fear," he said with chilling calm. "My sovereign has called for you. Obedience will soften your punishment."
Arthur's blade shot up, fury raw in his voice. "Let her go!"
Rin seized his wrist, yanking him back. "Arthur, wait!"
"You leap to violence too quickly," Silas said, as if scolding a child. His gauntlet rose, blood leaking from the earth around them and twisting into the air, serpentine in motion. "All of you… I almost pity."
Ren's sword flashed, slicing through the writhing blood. Frost surged from the edge, freezing the liquid midair, shards falling in brittle chunks. His breath misted pale. "This won't end like before, Silas."
Cain blurred into motion, seizing Ren by the throat and slamming him into the wall with brutal force. Stone cracked beneath the impact. His grin widened, rows of sharp teeth glinting. "Humans should know their place," he growled, pressing harder. "You crawl, and we trample. That is the order of things."
The ground split with a deafening crash. Julian's blade drove down, shattering the stone floor in a spray of rubble. Cain vaulted away, his scaled body twisting midair. He landed light and fast, a claw lashing across Julian's cheek.
Blood ran in a thin line. Julian lifted two fingers to the wound, then to his lips. He licked the red away, eyes narrowing. His voice came low, harsh. "Discipline."
The blood hardened around his fist, forming a sharp crimson gauntlet. He struck, the impact sending Cain staggering back.
Cain steadied himself, a feral grin breaking across his face. Fresh scales pushed from beneath his skin, sealing the damage on his cheek. "Good," he hissed. "Now it's a fight worth having."
The spirits spiraled around Arthur's sword, their glow sinking into steel until the blade shone with white brilliance. He roared and surged forward, light streaking behind him like a comet's tail.
Silas caught the strike in one palm, the weight driving him a step back even as he held Elowen high in his other arm. Blood sprayed from his pierced hand, sizzling against the ground. His helm tilted, voice low. "This woman is the only price for your lives."
Arthur's eyes burned in the dim passage. "You won't take anyone." He inhaled, the light on his sword swelling.
CLINK.
A chip of black metal snapped off Silas' breastplate and clattered across the stone. Arthur lunged again, blade flaring as if to split the cavern itself.
Silas twisted, gauntlet crashing down. Steel exploded in shards, Arthur's sword torn apart in a burst of fragments that whistled through the air. Silas' boot slammed into his chest, hurling him across the floor in a skid that scraped sparks from the stone.
"Steel strong enough to scratch me means nothing," Silas said coldly. "Did you truly think that made you my equal?" His visor angled toward Cain. "Azrael."
From behind, smoke bled outward, thick and unnatural. A figure cloaked in shadow glided into being, its hood empty but for an abyss of darkness.
"Take her to our Majesty." Silas thrust Elowen into the figure's waiting arms.
She screamed as cold hands wrapped around her. The cloak swallowed her whole, curling in on itself until both vanished with the smoke.
Ren's sword split the ground at Silas' feet, frost racing up his greaves. The general scoffed and shattered it with brute force, but the ice spread stubbornly along his armor, crawling like veins.
Ren's hand shot out, clamping Silas by the throat. His breath spilled white. "Feel it… like a sickness in your veins."
Crystals erupted from the chainmail, stabbing outward in jagged bursts that pierced flesh beneath. Blood sprayed between the cracks.
Ren withdrew, ripping his sword free as he leapt back.
Rin charged, arms cloaked in a vortex of searing black flame, normal fire spiraling into it until both merged into a whirling inferno. "Ultimate: Fire Cannon!"
The blast tore through the tunnel like a hurricane made of sun and ash. Walls warped, stone peeled from the heat, and the shockwave howled with the sound of a collapsing world. Fire rolled forward in a single violent stream, swallowing Silas in the storm.
When the smoke thinned, a silhouette remained.
Silas stood upright, obsidian armor cracked and half-erased, his pale skin exposed where chainmail clung to burned flesh.
Rin's body buckled, her legs trembling until she collapsed. Reid caught her, holding her steady. "Enough," he whispered against her ear. "You gave more than anyone could ask. Rest. There's more ahead of us than just them."
Steel rang again in the passage—Julian's blade crashing against Cain's claws. Their exchange rattled the walls, sparks flying with each blow.
Cain raked across Julian's shoulder, tearing deep. Julian raised his sword, but his arm faltered. Cain's other claw arced back, ready to strike clean through him.
A deep blue blast streaked across the chamber, slamming Cain off his feet and into the wall. Dust plumed as he hit.
"Veiss!" Virgil's voice cracked sharp. He rushed to Julian, dragging him upright. His palm pressed to the torn shoulder, mana knitting flesh together with disciplined precision. "I wasn't ordered to bring you home alive."
Cain dropped low, racing forward on all fours, body twisting unnaturally as he vaulted off the ceiling. He came down like a beast.
Virgil turned, forearm raised. A translucent shield of light flared into being. Cain's claws crashed against it, sparks scattering as if steel scraped glass. For an instant, the force rebounded, a mirrored slash carving across Cain's chest.
Cain fell back, scales hissing as they sealed the wound, steam curling from his body. He laughed, low and sharp. "Reflection magic? Impossible. Too perfect." His grin widened. "I'll find the flaw before you draw another breath."
Before he could lunge, Silas struck Reid across the chest with a blow that sent him skidding into rubble. Silas raised his exposed arm, blood dripping from the cracked armor. "Cain. The King calls."
Cain's grin faded. His eyes sharpened, serious now. He dropped beside Silas in one fluid motion.
A rift tore open, black light stretching wide. The two generals stepped through without hesitation. The portal snapped shut behind them, leaving silence heavy in the cavern.
⸻
Elowen screamed. Julius crouched in front of her, shadow looming over his expression. His voice was low, edged with irritation. "Quiet." He pressed a hand to his forehead, then slammed his fist into the ground beside her, stone splitting under the force. "Heal me and I'll spare your life. Your regenerative gift is too valuable to waste."
Elowen shook her head violently, breath ragged. "No… I won't. My powers aren't for you. You spread nothing but hatred. Violence. That's all you know!"
Julius tilted his head, expression unreadable before a thin grin curled across his mouth. "Strange. That is all I've ever seen from your kind as well."
His hand darted forward, seizing her wrist like an iron shackle. His voice dropped to a slow, steady command. "Now. Do as you are told."