"I asked you a question — who are you?" the Flameborne demanded, his voice trembling.
"As I said before," Valeric replied with a smirk, "I'm your worst nightmare. I can see through you… you're afraid of me. Pathetic, if you ask me."
The Flameborne, Lyric, tried once again to summon his powers — but nothing happened. It was as if he'd never had them at all.
"What did you do to me? Why can't I use my powers?!"
Only then did Lyric realize who stood before him. "You… you're that bastard from House Ashford. Godric's son! That explains it — only a few can neutralize Flameborne powers, and all of them belong to House Ashford! Hey, don't walk away from me while I'm talking!" he shouted furiously.
Lyric kept yelling while Valeric turned away, stepping toward an Ironbourne soldier screaming in pain, his eyes burned beyond recognition.
"You can rest now. You did exceptionally well protecting this town and honoring your Ironbourne blood. Your ancestors would be proud of you, brother."
Valeric stood as the soldier took his final breath, then turned his gaze back toward Lyric.
"You Ashford descendants really think you rule the world," Lyric sneered. "I can't wait to say I killed an Ash—"
He never finished his sentence. His head hit the ground before the words left his mouth.
It had taken Valeric only one strike.
"You really need to shut up," Valeric said coldly. "You talk too much."
As he walked away, Valeric came across Flamebornes assaulting civilians who were trying to escape the attack. The sight of innocent people burning alive filled him with rage. His pace quickened — until he froze. The Flamebornes were already dead, their heads crushed.
"You guys finally decided to show up," Valeric said, smirking.
"We would've been here earlier if Kaelen hadn't taken his time remembering the turns," Rurik said, swinging his blood-soaked hammer.
The atmosphere shifted, heavy with fury.
"It's my first time on this land! How was I supposed to know where to turn?!" Kaelen shouted, striking a Flameborne with his axe. "I've been craving some Flameborne blood for a while now!" he said with a wide grin.
It took the villagers a moment to realize — help had arrived. No more sorrow. No more bloodshed. The Black Sash had come to save them.
"I see you're all fired up," Valeric said, turning to his comrades. "I'll leave the rest of the Flamebornes to you. Eira, help with the evacuation and heal the wounded. Lyanna, keep an eye from above — strike where others can't see. Fenrik, you're with me. I need your assistance."
"So what are you going to do while we fight these bastards?" Rurik asked, eyeing the oncoming army.
"Well," Fenrik said, walking up beside Valeric, "while you guys handle this, our good leader and I will check the nearby villages — make sure none have been attacked."
"We need to move," Valeric said, already setting off with Fenrik.
Rurik and Kaelen charged back into battle and the other members also went to where they were assigned.
"Look out, Rurik!" Kaelen shouted.
But the Flameborne behind Rurik was already down before he turned.
"Guess the silent assassin strikes again," Rurik said proudly. "Well done, Thorne."
"Do you expect a thank-you from him? That asshole barely speaks," Kaelen muttered, glancing at their quiet comrade walking away — Thorne, the man of few words.
Thorne continued his rampage, slicing through Flamebornes with dual daggers and brutal precision and speed.
"What's got him pissed all of a sudden?" Kaelen asked.
"Don't mind him," Rurik replied. "Focus on the mission."
"Yeah, yeah, you don't have to tell me twice."
The two tore through the remaining Flamebornes.
While they fought, the Black Sash's medic, Eira, was guiding civilians to safety.
"Everyone, this way! There's food and medical aid ahead!" she called in her calm, soft voice.
"Rurik, there's a Flameborne beast heading your way — and six soldiers with it," Lyanna's voice echoed from above.
"Thanks for the update. Keep your eyes on the situation and protect Eira at all costs," Rurik replied, scanning for the beast.
"Will do, sir."
"What did Lyanna say?" Kaelen asked, finishing off the last soldier.
"There's a beast heading this way. I see it — south of you."
"Okay, I'll handle it. Wouldn't want our vice commander getting hurt now."
"You sure you can take that thing alone? It's huge."
"Don't underestimate me, you ass."
"I was just saying — if you need help, I'll step in.
"I won't need your help."
Kaelen charged toward the beast. "If I can just hit one of its eyes…" He swung his axe, aiming for its weak point. After a series of powerful blows, the creature screamed in agony and crashed to the ground.
"Yes! I did it!" Kaelen cheered, raising his arms.
"You sure about that?" Rurik said with a grin. "Look on top of it."
Kaelen turned — and saw Thorne perched calmly atop the beast's skull.
"That piece of shit…" Kaelen muttered, face twisted in disbelief.
"You know I was supposed to kill that beast, right?" he shouted.
Thorne only shrugged and jumped down silently.
"Come on, don't get mad just because you didn't land the kill. You'll get the next one," Rurik said, laughing.
"Flameborne beasts are rare! He just stole my chance — and what are you laughing at? It's not like you could kill one with that stupid hammer of yours."
"Yeah, maybe. But at least I wasn't outdone by a kid! How's it feel knowing a 22-year-old killed a beast before you ever did?"
"Stop this childish nonsense and focus," Lyanna's voice cut in sharply.
"She's right," Rurik said. "Kaelen, help find civilians trapped under rubble. Thorne and Lyanna — assist Eira with the wounded. I'll handle the search for missing people. Clear?"
They nodded and split up.
Meanwhile, Valeric and Fenrik reached the nearby villages. None had been attacked — and those Flamebornes they did find were slain without hesitation.
With their mission done, the two turned back toward Whiskmore to aid with evacuation.