Kyren didn't have a plan.
He had rage—a fire burning deep, hotter than anything he had ever felt.
It wasn't just from Longfoot. It wasn't just from tonight. It had been building since the day he became a hero. Since the drug runners. Since them.
It all led back to the cult.
His fists clenched. His breathing was sharp. Every fiber of his being felt like it was locking up, a tension coiling in his muscles, ready to snap.
"Lydel," he finally ground out through clenched teeth. "I don't know how to do this. Do you have a plan?"
Lydel hesitated, then shrugged. "Not much of one. We could just… burn the church and see what happens?"
Kyren exhaled, closing his eyes for a brief moment. That was good enough.
He turned to Liora. "Heal us before we go."
Liora nodded, placing her hands on them, warmth radiating from her touch.
As she worked, a woman approached, clutching a bowl of soup. She handed one to Kyren. "Thank you for helping us," she said softly. Then, without another word, she returned to her tent, soon emerging with another bowl for Lydel.
The boys ate in silence. Liora finished healing them just as they emptied their bowls.
"I'm glad that fight wasn't too rough," she said, offering a small smile. "Didn't even have to do much."
Kyren set his bowl aside. His eyes were cold. "It won't be that easy tonight."
Liora's smile faded.
As the sun dipped below the treeline, Kyren summoned Veldthar.
The massive eland emerged in a flash of light, its muscles taut with energy. Kyren climbed onto its back, reaching down to pull Lydel up behind him. Liora gripped Lydel's shoulder, steadying herself.
Kyren's voice was steady, emotionless.
"Let's go burn a church again."
Veldthar launched forward, hooves pounding against the dirt. The landscape blurred past, the tall grass bending in the wind of their speed.
It took only minutes to reach the village.
The town's houses flew past in a haze of motion until they reached the plaza.
Kyren and Lydel leapt from Veldthar's back, landing in perfect sync. The eland strode forward, horns crackling with stored energy. It took slow, deliberate steps toward the church, its power building.
"Spark it up, buddy," Kyren ordered.
Veldthar lowered its horns, pressing them against the old wooden walls. Sparks snapped to life—then—
BOOM!
A massive bolt of lightning exploded from its horns, tearing a hole clean through the church. Fire erupted across the structure, swallowing the building in an instant.
But something was wrong.
Screams.
Figures staggered out of the burning building—eight men, all fully converted. Their bodies twisted and monstrous, muscles swollen beyond human limits. And standing in the center, his robes untouched by the flames—
Gio.
The pastor's eyes flickered with fire, the blaze feeding into his form. The very flames of the church coiled around him, drawn into his body.
He raised a hand, fingers crackling.
Then—
A massive fireball launched forward at impossible speed.
Gio didn't care that his own men stood in its path. The inferno consumed two cultists instantly, charring them to ash. The impact slowed the blast enough for Kyren and Lydel to dodge, but the sheer heat of it still scorched the air.
Kyren's eyes hardened.
"Six left," he called. "Let's make this quick."
Then he Soundless Stepped forward, vanishing into the fray.
The first cultist was still mid-transformation, his body warping grotesquely. He barely had time to react before Kyren's blade severed his arm at the shoulder.
The man screamed, body convulsing. The transformation reversed, limbs shrinking, flesh twisting unnaturally as his body gave up. He collapsed, clutching his bleeding stump.
Kyren pressed forward, aiming for Gio—
Two more converted men blocked his path.
He stopped, glancing to his left—Lydel was already engaged with another beastly figure.
Lydel was faster now, weaving through the cultist's wild strikes. Three afterimages formed around his target, their movements seamless, blades flashing in unison. The real Lydel and his second afterimage darted in, slashing before the cultist could react, then instantly retreating.
Kyren refocused. The first man lunged—
Kyren's body moved on instinct.
He Soundless Stepped backward, then immediately flashed forward again, appearing behind his attacker. His blades sliced through flesh, twin arcs of blood splattering the dirt.
The second cultist swung—Kyren ducked.
Blackfang Step.
In an instant, Kyren was in his blind spot.
Lion's Requiem, fully sharpened, carved through the cultist's shoulder, sinking deep into his chest. Kyren kicked the dying man backward, ripping his blade free.
The first cultist stumbled back, his left arm useless, his face pale from blood loss. He took two shaky steps—then fell.
Kyren turned.
Lydel's opponent lay on the ground, Achilles tendons severed, unable to move.
Now, only two enemies remained.
Gio.
And the man in silver.
The silver-robed figure stepped toward Lydel, leaving only Gio for Kyren.
The pastor finally spoke.
"Why must you filth wander into my village and destroy my work?" His voice was calm, but his rage simmered beneath it. "What gives you the right?"
Kyren rolled his shoulders, smirking. "I don't have a right. Never claimed to." His grin sharpened. "I just really hate your group."
Gio's eyes darkened.
"What do you think you're accomplishing here? Even if you kill me—"
Kyren cut him off with a groan. "The church will just keep spreading, blah, blah, blah. Damn, you preachers really are all the same. All talk, no bite."
Gio's muscles swelled. Sparks of fire flickered across his skin. His hair ignited, smoldering in the night air.
Then he roared—
A wave of fire erupted from his body, consuming everything in its path.
Kyren Soundless Stepped out of range, scanning for an opening—
CRACK!
A bolt of electricity cut through the flames, disrupting Gio's attack.
Veldthar grunted, shaking its head. That last shot had drained its energy.
Kyren didn't hesitate.
He Soundless Stepped in, driving his boot into Gio's ribs.
The pastor flew back, crashing through the rubble of his burning church.
The flames swelled, heat distorting the air.
Then—
Through the smoke and embers, Gio rose.
His body burned, the fire now a part of him. He stood in the crumbling doorway, silhouetted by the inferno.
And he was still smiling.