The journey back to the city was silent, each step weighed down by the gravity of what they had endured. Thal led the group, his pace steady, his expression unreadable. Behind him, Kael, Luken, and Nyra followed, their eyes scanning the battlefield they left behind the broken corpses of enemies and allies alike scattered in the blood soaked dirt. The Kruu'Vesps and Kruu'Strata moved in disciplined formations, their heads bowed slightly, a sign of respect for the lives lost and the fight they had endured.
As they crested a small rise, the city came into view.
It was a shadow of its former self. Once a place of life, bustling streets, and hope, now it was a husk, choked by the destruction that had been wrought. Entire districts were reduced to rubble, great swaths of stone and timber lying broken under the light of the full moon. Blackened scorch marks scarred the buildings, remnants of the titan's magical onslaught, and sluggish streams of melted stone and sludge glowed faintly, casting an eerie, unnatural hue over the ruins.
The air was thick with smoke and ash, mingling with the faint cries of survivors searching for loved ones, the wails of those mourning their dead, and the whispers of those too shocked to speak.
Kael's jaw tightened as his gaze swept over the destruction. "So much for saving the city," he muttered, his voice low and bitter. For once, the usual sharp wit in his tone was absent, replaced by an edge of sorrow.
Nyra, walking slightly behind him, clenched her fists at her sides. Her silver hair, now matted with blood and sweat, clung to her face as her sharp eyes took in the devastation. "We did what we could," she said, though the words felt hollow, even to her. Her axe hung limply at her side, still dripping with the blood of enemies. "But it's never enough."
Luken walked silently, his head bowed, his hands still trembling from the transformation he had undergone during the battle. He glanced around at the destruction, his single human eye filled with guilt, his Kruul side now dormant but heavy in his mind.
The Kruu'Vesps buzzed overhead, their wings cutting through the air, carrying the wounded civilians to what few safe zones remained. The Kruu'Strata walked alongside the group, their massive frames still brimming with tension, their weapons slick with gore.
Thal, at the front, remained silent, his eyes fixed on the ruins ahead. His expression was calm, almost detached, but there was something in the way his shoulders tensed, the way his hands curled slightly into fists at his sides, that betrayed the storm raging within. He could hear the cries of the people as clearly as if they were beside him, the sorrow and fear washing over him like a tide he couldn't hold back.
The group entered the outskirts of the city, stepping carefully over shattered stone and splintered wood. A child cried out in the distance, their voice piercing through the silence, and Thal's steps faltered for the briefest moment. His gaze flickered toward the sound, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. Not yet.
Kael slowed his pace, falling in step beside Thal. He glanced at him, his expression torn between frustration and understanding. "We won," Kael said quietly, though the words carried no joy. "But what's left of it?"
Thal didn't answer. He simply kept walking, his eyes scanning the destruction around them, his mind turning over the image of Zara her emerald eyes, her haunting smile. He couldn't shake it, couldn't ignore the feeling that lingered in his chest like a weight pressing down on his very soul.
As they moved deeper into the city, the weight of what had been lost became clearer. And though they had survived, though they had fought with everything they had, it was impossible to escape the truth staring back at them from the ruins:
Victory had come at a cost. And the price was far from paid.
As they walked further into the city, a flicker of hope pierced through the despair. Among the ruins, soldiers and civilians worked together, lifting debris, tending to the wounded, and comforting those in shock. Despite the destruction, life persisted, pushing back against the weight of loss with quiet resilience.
Kael paused, his sharp eyes catching the sight of a group of soldiers carrying an injured man on a makeshift stretcher. "They're still standing," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. There was a glimmer of something in his tone relief, perhaps, or admiration. "They're not giving up."
Nyra exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "They're stronger than they look," she said, her voice soft but steady. She scanned the scene, her silver hair catching the moonlight as she spotted a mother cradling her child, both covered in soot but alive.
And then they saw them Valen and Kalrith, moving through the chaos with purpose.
Valen's movements were fluid as he helped lift a fallen beam off a collapsed building, his blades sheathed at his sides. His face was streaked with dirt and blood, but his sharp, determined eyes betrayed no sign of fatigue. He pulled a trapped civilian free, offering a quick smile and a reassuring word before darting off to assist elsewhere.
Kalrith was a force of nature, her greatsword slung over her back as she worked alongside others to clear rubble. Her strength was unmatched, and her presence was a beacon of encouragement. She knelt beside a soldier whose leg had been crushed, her voice calm and steady as she reassured him while others tended to his wounds.
The two of them worked in perfect tandem, their movements almost instinctive. When Kalrith lifted a heavy stone, Valen was already there to pull someone to safety. When Valen spotted a group struggling to move a barricade, Kalrith was beside him in an instant, her sheer strength making the task seem effortless.
Thal slowed his steps, his gaze fixed on them. For a moment, the weight in his chest lightened as he watched them two warriors, battered but unbroken, their determination unshaken.
Kael noticed Thal's pause and followed his gaze. "Looks like they're doing alright," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Not bad for a couple of show offs."
Nyra crossed her arms, a small smile breaking through her stern expression. "They're more than that. They're the reason people still have hope."
Thal's eyes lingered on Valen and Kalrith for a moment longer before he resumed walking. "Hope is what keeps us moving," he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the others.
The group pressed on, the sight of soldiers and civilians rallying together a small but vital reminder that even in the face of devastation, the spirit of survival endured. And though the scars of the battle would remain, the people of the city were already beginning to rebuild, brick by brick, piece by piece.
As Thal and the others neared the heart of the city, Valen caught sight of them out of the corner of his eye. His sharp gaze flicked to them, and without hesitation, he broke away from the group of civilians he had been assisting. His movements, though burdened by exhaustion, carried a quiet urgency.
When he reached them, they saw him clearly in the moonlight. Blood, dirt, and grime streaked his face and armor, his silver hair matted and disheveled. Yet, his eyes piercing and determined showed no signs of faltering.
"You're alive," Valen said simply, relief laced beneath his otherwise calm tone. He looked them over, his gaze lingering on Kael and Nyra before settling on Thal. "How bad was it?"
Kael exhaled sharply, leaning on his staff as if the weight of the battle had finally caught up with him. "Bad enough," he replied, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "But we're still standing, somehow." He glanced at the grime on Valen and smirked faintly. "Looks like you've had your own fun."
Valen snorted, rolling his shoulders as if trying to shake off the weariness. "The dead don't fight fair, and they don't stop coming. We've been keeping them from the shelters. It's… manageable." His tone suggested otherwise.
Before Kael could respond, heavy footfalls announced Kalrith's approach. She carried her greatsword slung casually over her shoulder, the moonlight catching on the streaks of blood that marred its surface. Like Valen, she was a mess of dirt, sweat, and battle, her expression grim but resolute.
She slowed as she joined them, her sharp eyes assessing the group. "You all look like hell," she said, though there was no malice in her tone. It was more of an observation, her lips curving into a faint smirk before her gaze softened ever so slightly.
"You're not much better," Kael quipped, though his usual humor was muted, his tone flat.
Kalrith smirked wider, unfazed. "Fair enough."
There was a moment of silence between them, the weight of the battle still lingering heavily in the air. Finally, Kalrith shifted her greatsword to rest its tip on the ground, leaning on it slightly as she looked at Kael.
"Kael," she said, her tone suddenly serious, "you need to go see mum."
Kael blinked, taken aback. "Your mum? Why?"
Kalrith's smirk faded, replaced by an expression of quiet insistence. "She asked for you specifically. I don't know why, but if she did, it's important. Trust me."
Kael frowned, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at the others. He looked back at Kalrith, her unwavering gaze telling him this wasn't something he could ignore.
"Fine," he said finally, his voice betraying his reluctance. "I'll go. But if this is some trick to get me into another lecture "
"It's not," Kalrith interrupted firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Just go."
Kael sighed and nodded, shooting a glance at Thal. "You coming, or are you going to keep tearing things apart on your own?"
Thal didn't answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the distance, where the ruins of the battle loomed under the pale moonlight. Finally, he turned, his expression unreadable. "Go. I'll join you later."
Kael hesitated but eventually nodded, turning toward the city. Kalrith watched him for a moment before looking back at Thal, her expression unreadable. Without another word, she hefted her greatsword and moved to join Valen, who had already returned to helping the civilians.
As the group slowly began to disperse, the city seemed to take a collective breath, its people rallying together in the aftermath of the chaos. But in the hearts of those who fought, the echoes of the battle and the questions it raised lingered.
Thal's eyes scanned the battered streets, his expression cold but purposeful. His voice cut through the tension as he turned to Valen and Kalrith. "Where's Tar?"
The two exchanged a glance, an unspoken conversation passing between them. Valen sighed, brushing some of the grime from his face. "He's fine," he said carefully, though his tone betrayed a hint of hesitation. "But... he got the worst of it."
Kalrith nodded, her grip tightening slightly on her greatsword. "He's resting. Took a beating protecting the civilians. We'll take you to him."
Thal didn't need any more explanation. He followed as they led him through the rubble strewn streets, the haunting echoes of the battle still ringing faintly in the air. They eventually stopped near a crumbled building, its walls scorched and cracked from the chaos. Tar was lying against the side, his massive form slumped in exhaustion. His double headed axe rested nearby, its blades dull from overuse, and his fur was matted with blood some his, most not.
Several mages and warriors surrounded him, trying in vain to shift his enormous frame so they could tend to him properly. Tar's chest heaved as he breathed heavily, his tired eyes watching the scene in silence. He couldn't speak, but the weight of his presence was unmistakable steadfast even in his battered state.
Thal stepped forward, his piercing gaze sweeping over the group. The mages stopped their futile attempts to move Tar as Thal approached, the air around him commanding silence. Without a word, Thal knelt beside the great Minotaur, his hand briefly resting on Tar's shoulder in a gesture of understanding.
"Rest, brother," Thal said quietly, his tone softer than usual.
With that, Thal stood and effortlessly hoisted Tar into his arms, carrying him as though he weighed nothing. The mages and warriors stepped aside, their expressions shifting from surprise to relief.
Tar let out a faint grunt, his eyes briefly meeting Thal's. There was no need for words his gratitude was clear in his tired gaze.
Thal carried him through the ruined streets to a nearby shelter, where the mages quickly moved to finish healing him. The room was quiet save for the whispers of spells and the occasional murmur of exhaustion.
As Thal set Tar down on a makeshift cot, he lingered for a moment, watching the mages work. He said nothing, but his eyes betrayed a rare flicker of something more concern, perhaps, or relief that Tar had survived.
Valen and Kalrith stood at the entrance, watching Thal silently. After a moment, Kalrith spoke, her voice low. "You always manage to carry more than your share, don't you?"
Thal didn't turn to look at her. "He carried more than anyone today," he replied simply, his voice steady.
With that, he stepped away, leaving Tar in the care of the mages. He glanced back briefly before walking past Valen and Kalrith, his focus already shifting to whatever was next. In the wake of destruction, there was little time for rest.
As Thal stepped away from Tar, Valen and Kalrith exchanged a brief, knowing glance before turning to follow him back toward the heart of the city. Around them, the ruins whispered of the chaos that had unfolded. Civilians and soldiers worked side by side, trying to salvage what they could. Fires still smoldered in some places, and the air was thick with grief and exhaustion.
Kael lingered as the group passed, his sharp eyes scanning the streets until they fell on Na'reth. She stood amidst the chaos, her commanding presence evident as she directed relief efforts for the citizens. Her armor was battered, her movements precise yet rigid. Kruu'Vesps swooped down, assisting with evacuations, while the Kruu'Strata ensured that no dead remained near the city.
Kael approached quietly, his staff clicking against the rubble strewn ground. Na'reth's voice was calm and authoritative as she issued orders, but Kael noticed the slight tremble in her hands when she thought no one was looking. Her shoulders were squared, but tension radiated from her as though she were holding the weight of the world on them.
"Na'reth," Kael said gently, his tone unusually soft.
She turned to him, her sharp gaze meeting his. For a moment, her composure held, and she nodded in acknowledgment. "Kael. I'm glad you're here. We need to "
"You've done enough," he interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind.
Her eyes flickered with defiance, but the exhaustion behind them betrayed her. "There's still too much to do," she said, her voice almost pleading as if convincing herself more than him.
Kael stepped closer, lowering his staff. "You're unraveling, Na'reth. The people need their leader, yes, but not one running on empty. You can't keep holding this alone."
She shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I have to. They need me."
"They need you alive," Kael countered. Without waiting for her response, he gently took her arm and guided her away from the bustling streets. She hesitated at first, glancing back at the relief efforts, but eventually let him lead her.
He found a quiet corner amidst the rubble, far from the prying eyes of soldiers and civilians. As soon as they were alone, Na'reth's composure cracked. Her shoulders began to shake, and she clutched her arms as if trying to hold herself together.
Kael placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her into an embrace, his grip steady and firm. At first, she resisted, her pride refusing to yield, but then the floodgates opened. She buried her face against his chest, her sobs muffled as weeks perhaps months of pain and pressure came pouring out.
Kael held her, saying nothing, letting her break down in the safety of his arms. He rested his chin lightly against the top of her head, his other hand stroking her back in slow, comforting motions.
"I've failed them," she choked out between sobs. "So many dead, Kael. I couldn't save them all. I couldn't "
"You didn't fail," he said quietly, his voice steady. "You gave them a chance. You fought for them. And you're still fighting. That's more than most could ever hope to do."
Her grip on his robes tightened as she continued to cry, years of unspoken burdens spilling out all at once. Kael stayed silent, letting her pain run its course, his usual wit and sharpness replaced by an unshakable presence.
After a while, her sobs began to subside. She pulled back slightly, wiping at her face with trembling hands. "I don't know how much more of this I can take," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael met her gaze, his expression softened by something rare: genuine care. "You don't have to take it all on alone. We'll get through this, together. But you need to lean on others sometimes. Even the strongest need someone to hold them up."
Na'reth nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself a small, shaky breath of relief.
Kael smiled faintly, brushing a strand of her hair back into place. "Now, let's get you back to looking like the unshakable leader they need. But remember you've got me, Na'reth. Don't forget that."
With renewed resolve, she straightened her posture, nodding once more. Together, they walked back toward the heart of the city, Kael at her side as a quiet anchor amid the storm.
The once scorched streets of the city began to show signs of life again. The air, heavy with the stench of battle, was slowly clearing. The fires had mostly been snuffed out, leaving only faint wisps of smoke rising into the air. The broken buildings were being cleared of debris, and the wounded were being tended to with renewed focus and determination.
Everywhere, there was movement. Civilians worked alongside soldiers, mages, and warriors, helping to rebuild and heal. The Kruu'Vesps continued to assist, flying low to the ground, gathering the injured and guiding the lost toward safety. The Kruu'Strata moved with their usual strength, clearing debris and lifting heavy materials where no one else could.
Valen and Kalrith had found their place in this restoration. They had been running from one task to another, not pausing to rest, but their eyes always sharp, always on the lookout for someone in need. Valen, with his blades and his ranged abilities, was helping to protect the weak and clear paths, while Kalrith, with her greatsword, cleared debris from collapsed buildings and helped lift the heaviest of burdens. They worked in perfect sync, each knowing exactly what the other needed without words.
The people of the city, though exhausted, had hope again. Their leaders Thal, Kael, Na'reth, Luken, Nyra walked among them, not as figures of power, but as fellow warriors, helping in whatever way they could. There were no more dead around them, and while the scars of the battle would remain for a long time, there was a sense that something bigger had been achieved that day.
Thal, having carried Tar to shelter earlier, moved through the city now with purpose, speaking to the citizens, ensuring they had what they needed, directing resources. His massive frame, once a figure of unyielding destruction, now served as a symbol of protection. He found Na'reth later, still organizing groups, her face drawn but steady.
"How are you holding up?" Thal asked, his voice softer than usual, a hint of concern in his eyes.
She smiled faintly at him. "I'm fine. We're fine. The worst of it is over."
He nodded, not pressing further. They both knew better than to dwell on the pain that would follow later, the lives lost and the sacrifices made.
Kael and Nyra were nearby, Kael standing with his staff planted in the ground, his posture leaning slightly as he surveyed the workers. Nyra stood beside him, her silver hair shining in the sunlight as she spoke with one of the survivors. Even now, she was helping her shoulders still strong, her heart still fierce.
"We should rest," Kael murmured, catching Na'reth's eye as she looked over at him. "We can't rebuild a city on exhaustion."
She turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly. "I can't stop now, Kael. There's too much to be done."
Kael gave her a knowing look. "You'll collapse before the city does if you keep going like this. Trust me."
For a moment, she hesitated, then nodded, realizing he was right. There would be more to do tomorrow, but tonight just for tonight the city could stand on its own. She allowed Kael to guide her toward a quieter corner, where the weight of the day could finally settle.
And as the sun set, casting an orange glow over the battered city, there was something tangible in the air: resilience. The city had been broken, but not destroyed. There was work still to do, yes but there was hope, too.
As the evening sky darkened and the last traces of sunlight dipped below the horizon, exhaustion hit the group hard. Luken, Nyra, Valen, and Kalrith had been pushing themselves relentlessly throughout the day, helping the city rebuild and tend to the injured. The weight of battle, the strain of nonstop action, and the heavy burden of everything that had happened left them feeling drained yet still, they fought on.
But now, as the city fell into a tentative calm, their bodies betrayed them. Nyra, her silver hair matted with dirt, her eyes heavy with fatigue, could barely lift her axe anymore. Luken, usually sharp and alert, was on the edge of collapse. Valen, too, looked worn, his movements slower, his expression quieter than usual. Kalrith, ever fierce, had a rare vulnerability in her eyes as she followed Kael's lead away from the crowds and toward shelter.
"Go sleep," Kael told her gently, his voice carrying more care than usual. "You've done enough for today."
Kalrith opened her mouth to protest, but the exhaustion was too much. She simply nodded, her shoulders slumping as Kael helped guide her toward a safe place where she could rest.
Na'reth, too, was spent. Though she tried to push through, Kael noticed the way her body swayed slightly as she moved. "Come on," he said softly, wrapping an arm around her for support. "Let's get you to a bed. You've earned it."
With a quiet sigh, Na'reth let herself be led away by Kael, trusting him to pull her from the frenzy and give her the break she so desperately needed.
Luken, Nyra, and Valen, meanwhile, made their way toward the remains of the inn. The building, though damaged, still provided some semblance of shelter a place to finally catch their breath. The weary trio entered, their steps heavy as they found their way to an empty table, dropping down one by one with a collective sigh. The walls around them felt almost oppressive in their stillness, but at least for now, it was quiet.
"Tomorrow," Luken murmured, his voice low and tired. "There's still so much to do tomorrow…"
Nyra nodded, her exhaustion apparent in the way she slumped into a chair. "We'll manage. We always do."
Valen, his eyes flickering with exhaustion, glanced out the window, watching as the last rays of light faded from the city. "We have to. There's no turning back now. Not after what we've seen."
But even as the weight of what had happened weighed heavily on them, they knew there was still hope. Despite the destruction, despite the casualties, the city still stood. The people still stood. And so would they.
Back outside, under the fading light of the full moon, Thal didn't rest. He didn't need to. His Nephilim nature made sleep unnecessary, a luxury he had long since forgone.
He stood in the middle of the still burning city, watching as the smoke slowly cleared, his body scarred but not broken. His mind was sharp as ever, though. He surveyed the area, ensuring that everything was as it should be. He felt no fatigue, only the need to be vigilant, to keep his watch over the city that had survived, even if only just.
After a while, he saw Kael approaching, his footsteps light but purposeful.
"You didn't sleep," Kael remarked, glancing at his companion.
Thal shook his head, his expression unreadable. "There's too much to do. I'm not like them. I don't need rest."
Kael chuckled softly, though his voice was tinged with a quiet seriousness. "You think they'll be able to keep going tomorrow?"
Thal's gaze remained focused on the city, his eyes narrowing as he considered the question. "They'll have to. The city's not done with us yet. And neither are we done with it."
Kael nodded in agreement, his hand resting lightly on the staff at his side. The two Nephilim stood side by side, silently acknowledging the strength of the city and its people and knowing, deep down, that there was still a long road ahead of them. But for now, they had survived.
And that was something worth fighting for.
As the city began to settle into a strange, exhausted peace, Thal and Kael continued to lend their strength where they could. Yet despite the pressing need for action and rebuilding, Thal felt the weight of something deeper, something unresolved gnawing at him. It wasn't just the battle that still echoed in his mind it was what he had seen.
Taking Kael aside, away from the bustling streets and the rebuilding efforts, Thal's usually unreadable expression carried a hint of unease.
"What's going on?" Kael asked, sensing the shift in his companion's demeanor.
Thal's voice was low, the weight of what he was about to say hanging heavily in the air. "I saw her. Zara." He paused for a moment, watching Kael's reaction. "I didn't know who she was at first just a stranger at the inn. But after the Harbinger, something about her… it feels connected. Almost like she triggered it. It came back too quickly this time."
Kael's brow furrowed. "Who is she? I don't know her. I've never heard of her."
Thal shook his head, his mind clearly struggling to make sense of it. "Neither do I. But the way she smiled at me, the way she vanished… It's like she was a part of all this. I didn't see it until now, but the Harbinger, the resurrection of the dead it was too sudden. She might be the key."
Kael considered this for a moment before his voice turned practical. "Maybe the Elders in the North would know something about her. They've seen things, they've lived through centuries of this chaos. If anyone has answers, it's them."
Thal's gaze hardened, and he took a deep breath. "I can't go back to the North. Not yet."
Kael raised an eyebrow, the sudden shift in tone catching him off guard. "Why not?"
The silence between them stretched, as Thal's eyes darkened in a way Kael hadn't seen before. Thal didn't speak at first, his eyes looking far past Kael, as though trying to find an answer in the horizon. And then, quietly, as though revealing something personal for the first time, he said, "Because I came through here for a reason. A reason that has nothing to do with them."
Kael paused, sensing the finality in Thal's words. His curiosity piqued, he leaned in slightly, his voice calm but probing. "Then why did you come through here?"
Thal didn't answer immediately. The weight of everything that had transpired seemed to settle between them like a heavy storm cloud, and Thal's expression remained unreadable, distant even.
But Kael's words lingered. And for the first time in a long while, Thal considered answering.
Thal's gaze grew distant, almost lost in thought, as he finally turned to Kael. His voice, though steady, carried a weight that wasn't fully understood, not yet.
"I came through here because the Kruul King and his Archons are still a threat." Thal's words were firm but layered with a depth Kael hadn't expected. "The war they've waged against the mortals is separate from the Harbingers, and their madness won't end until they've shattered everything in their path. Nyra, Luken, and Valen… they've all asked for help, and they need it." He took a slow breath, his eyes briefly closing as if steeling himself for what was to come. "I can't let that war continue."
Kael's expression tightened, and his brow furrowed. He had known Thal to be a force in his own right, someone who never shied away from battle. But this was different. The weight of the words left a palpable tension in the air. "Are you sure this is the path you want to walk?" Kael asked, his voice low, a mixture of concern and skepticism. "The Kruul King, his Archons... they're not part of this. They're a separate issue entirely, and you know it. Their war against the humans, against the mortals, has nothing to do with the Nephilim. It's about power about them taking what they want." He exhaled, his eyes searching Thal's. "It's not your fight, Thal."
Thal's jaw tightened at the words, his mind already far ahead, thinking of the battle, the war that had started long before the Harbinger. "You're wrong, Kael. It is my fight," he said, the fire in his tone unmistakable. "The war they've waged against the mortals it might not be directly tied to the Nephilim, but it's been going on for centuries. They've seen us as enemies, and even if it wasn't our war to begin with, it's one we've inherited. My bloodlines, the history of the Nephilim they can't just ignore what's happened."
Kael shook his head, his voice firm but tinged with frustration. "But that's the problem, Thal. This isn't your war. You don't have to carry the weight of it. Not anymore." He took a step closer, his gaze intense. "You've fought enough. You've seen enough. You've done enough."
For a moment, Thal stayed silent, his eyes clouded with something that Kael couldn't quite decipher. And then, softly, almost to himself, Thal spoke again. "You don't understand. I can't stop. Not now. If I do, it all crumbles."
Kael let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. "I understand more than you think," he muttered. His voice softened, almost imploring. "But Thal, this isn't the way. You don't have to be alone in this fight. Not with this not with everything you've been through."
Thal glanced up at Kael, his expression hardening once more. "I'm not alone. Not with them. But this… this is something I have to do."
Kael paused, trying to read the resolve in his friend's eyes. It was as if a wall had gone up between them, one that Kael couldn't breach.
"You're making a mistake," Kael said quietly, his words heavy with meaning. "The Kruul's war is theirs. We can't carry that burden for them."
But Thal was already moving, his resolve as unyielding as the earth beneath their feet. "I'm going after the King and his Archons. It's the only way to stop them."
Kael stood still for a moment, his eyes narrowed with doubt. He had always known Thal to be relentless in his pursuit of justice, but this… this felt different. Something deeper was driving him, something Kael couldn't grasp. And as Thal moved away, preparing for what was to come, Kael couldn't help but wonder if he was walking into something far darker than either of them realized.
"Be careful, Thal," Kael whispered under his breath, unsure if his friend could hear him. But it was too late Thal was already heading toward the next battle, and there was nothing Kael could do to stop him.
As Thal's footsteps echoed into the distance, Kael stood rooted to the spot, his mind swirling with thoughts too complex to unravel in that moment. He watched his friend, his ally, moving forward with that unyielding determination the same force that had driven him for so long. But Kael couldn't shake the feeling that Thal was walking a path he couldn't fully understand.
Kael stood at the edge of the ruined square, arms folded, his shadow stretching long across the cracked stones. Smoke drifted from the shattered remains of the battlements, and the air still trembled with the aftershocks of battle. His gaze locked on the lone figure walking away Thal's heavy steps, his broad back retreating into the dusk.
Kael's voice cut through the stillness, sharp as a blade drawn in anger.
"You never stop, do you, Thal?"
Thal slowed but didn't turn.
Kael's boots crunched over scorched earth as he approached, voice rising. "You never stop fighting. Never stop throwing yourself into every war, every ruin, every hopeless crusade. Even when it burns you down."
Still no answer. The wind pushed a curl of ash between them.
Kael's jaw clenched.
"Lucian. Quincy. How many more?"
At that, Thal stopped.
Kael took a slow breath, words trembling with something older than this battlefield. "You raised them like they were your redemption. Like they could save you from yourself. But they weren't yours to save, Thal. You gave them the fire, but you never taught them how to carry it without burning."
The silence stretched, raw and humming. For a moment, Kael thought Thal might keep walking.
Then Thal's voice came low, like stone grating over stone.
"They mattered."
Kael's throat tightened. "They did. God, Thal they mattered more than you ever let yourself believe. Quincy… Quincy could have been something this world has never seen." His voice cracked, the anger folding under grief. "Even the Nephilim watched her, you know that? We saw it saw the light in her, saw the way she carried something none of us understood. She could have changed everything."
Thal turned, his face half-lit by the dying sun, eyes shadowed and old.
"She tried."
Kael let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head. "And now she's ash. And Lucian… you built him into a king and walked away like it wouldn't end in blood." His voice dropped to a whisper. "And it did."
A faint shudder crossed Thal's shoulders.
Kael stepped closer, words soft but merciless. "Why, Thal? Why keep binding yourself to them? Why carry their wars like chains around your neck?"
Thal's jaw flexed, a muscle ticking along his cheek.
"Because someone has to."
Kael exhaled sharply, fists tightening. "No. That's a lie you've told yourself for centuries. You don't do this just for them. You do it because you can't forgive yourself." His eyes hardened. "You want the fight, Thal. You want the fall."
For a long moment, only the whisper of wind between ruined walls answered them.
Kael's voice softened, but it cut deeper.
"You think I don't remember the old prophecies? The cult scriptures?
When the sun bleeds and the sands choke,
The Lord of Yellow Ash drifts upon the wind…"
His fingers twitched at his side. "I know what's coming, Thal. I know what was almost stopped before it began when Quincy stood at the threshold of saving this world, when she almost reached the thing none of us dared name. And you… you stood beside her."
Thal's eyes flickered, a crack breaking the mask of silence.
Kael's heart twisted. "She almost healed it, Thal. And you know it."
Thal's head bowed slightly, shoulders tight. His voice was nearly a whisper.
"She was the best of us."
Kael's voice softened. "She was the best of you."
For a moment, the ash drifted like falling snow between them, the battlefield stilled in its mourning hush.
Kael took another step forward, his voice rough but steady.
"And now you chase death like it's a promise you've been waiting to keep. But Thal…" His voice shook with something raw, something desperate. "If you fall, if you break this time there's no one left to catch you. Not Lucian. Not Quincy. Not Neo. No one."
Thal's breath shuddered out. For the first time in years, Kael saw it the flicker of regret in his brother's eyes, the old wound that never closed.
Kael pressed on, voice low.
"What are you hoping for, Thal? That dying will make it right? That sacrificing yourself will balance the scale? Because it won't. You know it won't."
Slowly, Thal lifted his gaze, eyes burning faintly like coals banked deep under ash. "What would you have me do, Kael? Stand by? Watch as the world burns again?"
Kael's voice cracked. "Yes! That's what we were made for. To watch. To hold the line. Not to bleed with them. Not to die for them." His hands spread, helpless. "We were meant to preserve the world, Thal not to burn in its wars."
Thal's lips thinned. "Maybe it's time we changed."
Kael let out a long, pained breath. "And if you do… if you become the very storm you were meant to stop…" His eyes narrowed. "Who do you think they'll send to stand against you?"
Thal's jaw tightened.
"Then I'll know the line has been crossed."
Kael stared at him, chest heaving, grief and fury tangled in his throat.
"I never wanted it to be you," he whispered.
Thal's voice was soft, almost kind. "Neither did I."
They stood like that, two shadows carved from the same war, the same failures, the same aching, immortal grief the sun bleeding out behind them, the horizon trembling with the breath of something vast awakening.
Finally, Kael turned away, shoulders hunched with the weight of a thousand unsaid things.
Behind him, Thal watched the sun fall into ash.