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Volume 2, Chapter 4: First Strike
The evening sky over Kaelith was a deep violet, the last traces of sunlight retreating behind jagged towers. Kairo paced atop the central tower, Phoenix energy flickering faintly along his arms. The city had seemed quiet all day, but the marks in the alleys, the shadowed movements, and the whispers among the Red Hands told a different story—someone was planning their next move.
A sudden alarm shattered the quiet. Bells rang from the southern districts, echoing across Kaelith. Scouts shouted from rooftops: fires were erupting near the marketplaces, and civilians were fleeing in panic. Kairo leapt from the tower, the Phoenix energy flaring as he descended, landing amidst the chaos.
The Red Hands were already in motion, drawing blades and rallying citizens to safety. Kairo's eyes narrowed. From the shadows emerged figures cloaked in darkness, their movements swift, precise, and unnerving. They carried strange weapons that pulsed with shadow energy, striking without warning and vanishing before retaliation.
"Focus on the civilians!" Kairo shouted, sending a controlled burst of Phoenix fire that ignited the ground beneath the attackers' feet. The flames didn't harm the people, but forced the assailants back, buying time. Liora moved beside him, striking with deadly precision, taking down a shadowy figure that lunged too close.
Despite their coordination, the attackers' numbers seemed endless, appearing from alleys and rooftops. Kairo felt the fire surge in response to his anger and fear, threatening to explode. He clenched his fists, forcing the energy into streams of controlled flames, directing it to push the enemies back without destroying the city he was trying to protect.
Amid the chaos, Kairo caught a glimpse of one figure standing apart from the others—tall, cloaked, and radiating an aura that chilled even him. The same spiral mark glowed faintly on their sleeve. Before Kairo could act, the figure vanished into the shadows, leaving only the lingering pulse of dark energy.
Breathing heavily, Kairo surveyed the aftermath. The Red Hands had protected the civilians, but the shadow faction had made their point: Kaelith was vulnerable, and Kairo himself was being tested.
Liora placed a hand on his shoulder. "They've made themselves known. And they know you."
Kairo's eyes burned with determination. "Then we learn faster, strike smarter, and prepare for what's coming. Kaelith won't fall under their shadows while I stand."
As the fires were extinguished and the city slowly calmed, Kairo realized that this first strike was only a taste of the battle ahead. Shadows were rising, and the war for Kaelith had entered a new, far deadlier phase.
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