Vireth's blood-forged longsword crashed against Commander Vance's shield, forcing her backward across the torn grass.
"Nyra, left!" Vance shouted.
Nyra moved immediately, her twin Wind Crest Swords cutting through the air as she circled the Blood Ascendant. Blue energy gathered along their edges before she unleashed two intersecting arcs of compressed wind.
Vireth turned his longsword and deflected the first attack. The second struck his armor, leaving a shallow mark across the crimson plating.
David charged from the opposite side.
His Claw Gauntlets snapped outward as he closed the distance, aiming for the opening Nyra had created. Vireth twisted away from the first strike, but David followed with a second, forcing the Fallen to raise his longsword.
Metal collided with hardened blood.
David felt the impact travel through his wrists.
He gritted his teeth and pressed forward.
Vance joined the attack, driving her shield toward Vireth's chest while her sword swept toward his exposed flank.
For several seconds, the three of them forced the Blood Ascendant onto the defensive.
Nyra attacked from the left, keeping her movements quick and precise. Vance maintained pressure from the front, using her shield to deny Vireth room to maneuver. David stayed close to his right side, waiting for an opportunity to strike with Cosmic Spatial Severance.
Vireth blocked another attack from Nyra.
Vance immediately slammed her shield into his longsword.
David saw the opening.
"Predator Step!"
System:
Predator Step — Activated
His body surged forward.
The sudden acceleration carried him beneath Vireth's raised weapon, placing him within striking distance of the Fallen's exposed ribs.
David extended his right gauntlet.
"Cosmic Spatial Severance!"
System:
Cosmic Spatial Severance — Activated
A thin distortion formed along the claws.
Vireth's eyes narrowed.
Crimson mist erupted around his body.
David's attack passed through the dissolving figure, cutting a clean line through the space where Vireth had stood.
The Blood Ascendant reappeared several meters away.
David stumbled out of the attack, catching himself before his knees struck the ground.
His breathing was becoming difficult.
The wounds from their earlier exchanges burned beneath his armor, and each use of his abilities demanded more strength than he had left to give.
Across from him, Vireth straightened his cloak.
"Your movements are slowing, David Wyn."
David raised his gauntlets.
"Come find out how much."
Vireth smiled.
"You still have enough strength for arrogance. How fortunate."
Nyra stepped beside David.
"Don't let him draw you in."
"I know."
She glanced at him.
His breathing was uneven, and blood had begun seeping through the damaged sections of his uniform.
"David, you're hurt."
"So are you."
"That's not what I meant."
He looked at her.
Despite the exhaustion in her eyes, she managed a small smile.
"We're getting through this, remember?"
David nodded.
"Together."
"Together."
"Touching," Vireth remarked.
Both turned toward him.
The Blood Ascendant rested his longsword against his shoulder.
"I wondered why you kept abandoning perfectly good opportunities to attack me. Now I understand."
David stepped slightly in front of Nyra.
Vireth noticed.
His smile widened.
"Yes. There it is again."
"Keep your attention on me," David said.
"Oh, I am."
Vireth's pale garnet eyes shifted toward Nyra.
"But perhaps not for the reasons you imagine."
Vance moved between them.
"Enough talking!"
She raised her sword.
"Gamma, formation!"
David and Nyra separated, taking positions on either side of their commander.
Vance's shield flickered as she reinforced it with the remaining energy of Aegis Dominion.
She knew they couldn't continue like this much longer.
Her arms were growing heavy, and the constant pressure of Vireth's attacks had left painful bruises beneath her armor. David was struggling to maintain his footing, while Nyra's Cyclone Domain had weakened considerably.
They needed to end the fight.
And they needed to do it together.
"On my mark," Vance said.
David tightened his fists.
Nyra lowered her swords.
Vance took one step forward.
"Now!"
They attacked.
Vireth vanished into crimson mist.
"Spread out!" Vance shouted.
David turned sharply, searching for the Fallen's reappearance.
The mist gathered directly in front of Nyra.
Vireth emerged with his longsword already descending.
Nyra crossed her Wind Crest Swords.
The impact drove her backward.
Blue energy scattered around her as the force of the attack pushed her blades dangerously close to her chest.
She struggled to hold them.
Vireth pressed harder.
"Too slow."
"Nyra!" David shouted.
He started toward her.
Vance reached her first.
"Aegis Dominion!"
The commander drove her shield between Nyra and the descending longsword.
Radiant energy erupted across its surface.
The weapon struck.
A sharp crack echoed across the plains.
Vance planted her feet and pushed back, pouring everything she had left into the shield.
"Get behind me!" she ordered.
Nyra stumbled away.
The shield's surface fractured.
Vance clenched her jaw.
The cracks spread outward from the point of impact, branching through the radiant barrier.
Then the shield shattered.
Vireth's longsword broke through and pierced Vance's shoulder.
The commander cried out as the crimson blade drove through her armor.
Her sword arm jerked backward.
Vireth withdrew the weapon.
Vance staggered several steps, blood spilling down the front of her uniform.
Her knees nearly buckled.
She caught herself and remained standing.
"Commander!" Nyra cried.
She hurried toward her.
Vance pressed a hand against the wound.
"I'm still standing."
"You're badly hurt!"
"I know, Nyra."
The commander struggled to steady her breathing.
"Keep your swords up."
Nyra moved in front of her, raising one blade defensively while glancing back at the blood running between Vance's fingers.
David approached from the opposite side.
He expected Vireth to attack again.
Instead, the Blood Ascendant stood several meters away, watching.
His longsword hung loosely at his side.
Something was wrong.
David searched the area around him.
Sanguine Thorn had been hovering near Vireth throughout the battle, striking independently whenever one of them left an opening.
Now the rapier was gone.
David's eyes darted across the battlefield.
He spotted it beyond Nyra.
The narrow crimson blade was gliding silently through the air, circling behind her while her attention remained on the wounded commander.
Vireth hadn't stopped attacking.
He had been waiting.
The rapier accelerated.
David's stomach tightened.
"NYRA! BEHIND YOU!"
He lunged toward her.
"Shadow Step!"
System:
Shadow Step — Activated
Darkness gathered beneath his boots.
The distance between them began collapsing as his body slipped into shadow.
He could see the place where he would emerge, only a step away from Nyra.
He was going to reach her.
A crimson tendril erupted from the blood-soaked ground and wrapped around his ankle.
David's body jerked.
Another tendril caught his wrist.
He tried to force himself through the remaining distance, but more tendrils snapped around his arms and waist.
The shadows surrounding him fractured.
System:
Shadow Step — Interrupted
David was dragged violently back into physical space.
His boots struck the ground.
He stumbled and tried to wrench himself free.
The blood beneath him erupted.
A crimson spear drove through his shoulder.
David screamed.
Before he could recover, a second spear pierced his leg.
His knee buckled.
The tendrils held him upright.
Pain tore through his body, stealing his breath.
He looked toward Nyra.
"NYRA!"
She heard him.
"DAVID!"
Nyra turned toward his voice.
Her eyes widened when she saw the spears piercing him.
She took a step in his direction.
Sanguine Thorn struck.
The rapier drove through her chest and emerged from her back, continuing into Commander Vance, who stood directly behind her.
Both women jerked beneath the impact.
David stared.
Nyra's Wind Crest Swords trembled in her hands.
She looked down at the blade protruding from her chest.
Then she raised her eyes toward him.
For one terrible moment, neither moved.
"No..."
David's voice barely escaped his throat.
Sanguine Thorn withdrew.
Vance stumbled backward, clutching at the wound in her chest. She tried to remain standing, but her injured legs gave way beneath her.
She collapsed onto the grass.
Nyra dropped to her knees.
Her Wind Crest Swords slipped from her hands, striking the ground on either side of her.
The blue energy along their edges flickered and disappeared.
Then Nyra fell onto her side.
"NYRA!"
David tried to move.
The blood spears held him in place.
A sharp pain tore through his shoulder as he strained against the restraints, but his strength was already fading.
His vision blurred.
He blinked hard, trying to keep Nyra in sight.
She lay only a short distance away, one hand pressed weakly against her chest.
Her silver-white hair had fallen across her face.
She wasn't getting up.
"Nyra..."
His head lowered.
He forced it back up.
He could see her breathing.
Barely.
But she was breathing.
David tried to call her name again.
The sound caught in his throat.
His arms felt numb.
Blood ran down his side, soaking his uniform and dripping from his fingertips.
The battlefield seemed to tilt beneath him.
For a moment, everything went dark.
When his vision returned, Vireth was standing in front of him.
The Blood Ascendant glanced toward Nyra, then back at David.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You were so close, David Wyn. Another step, perhaps even another heartbeat, and you might have reached her."
David struggled to focus on him.
"But you didn't."
Vireth stepped closer, examining the blood-forged spears holding him upright.
"You saw the blade coming. You knew exactly what I intended. And despite possessing a power that allows you to cross space itself, you could do nothing but watch."
David's breathing shook.
He could still see Nyra turning toward him.
He could still hear her screaming his name.
Vireth leaned forward.
"Tell me, boy. When she turned and called your name, did you truly believe you were going to save her?"
David closed his eyes.
He wanted to shut out the voice.
But he could still hear every word.
"Remember that moment," Vireth continued. "Remember how close you were when my blade went through her."
David's head dropped.
Vireth's smile disappeared.
"Because if she dies, the last thing she'll remember is you standing there, unable to reach her."
A tear slipped down David's cheek.
Vireth straightened.
"Such extraordinary power. Such a pathetic failure."
David tried to lift his head.
His eyes moved past Vireth toward Nyra.
She hadn't moved.
His lips trembled.
"Nyra..."
Vireth followed his gaze.
"Perhaps the next time you promise someone you'll protect them, you'll remember what that promise is worth."
He turned his back on David.
"Blood Ascendant!"
A Fallen soldier hurried toward him.
Vireth stopped.
"What is it?"
The soldier bowed.
"Our forces need you at the northern front. The humans are preventing us from completing Greyfall!"
Vireth's expression hardened.
"Explain."
"The remaining creatures have been driven toward the northern ridge, but human forces are intercepting our soldiers. They're eliminating the beasts before we can secure the conversion."
Vireth looked toward the distant horizon.
Crimson flashes illuminated the thickening clouds above the northern plains.
The soldier continued.
"The humans are advancing from the south as well. Their commanders are coordinating attacks against our remaining positions. If we cannot break through, they will complete Whitefall."
"How close?"
"Very close, Blood Ascendant. We need your strength at the front."
Vireth looked back toward David.
The boy's head hung forward, his body supported by the crimson spears and tendrils.
Blood continued dripping onto the grass beneath him.
There was nothing left of the defiance he'd shown earlier.
The anomaly had been defeated.
Its companions were dying.
Vireth had more important matters to attend to.
"Everyone, with me."
The Fallen soldiers immediately straightened.
Vireth pointed toward four of them.
"You four. Finish them. And bring me the blood of the anomaly."
The soldiers bowed.
"As you command, Blood Ascendant."
Vireth turned toward the northern front.
"We will not surrender this planet to humanity. Move!"
The Fallen forces assembled around him and began marching toward the distant fighting.
All but four followed.
The remaining soldiers drew their blades.
One looked toward the unconscious bodies of June and Mira.
Another turned toward Commander Vance, who lay wounded several meters away.
The other two began walking toward David and Nyra.
David heard their footsteps.
He tried to raise his head.
The movement sent a wave of dizziness through him.
His vision darkened.
He blinked.
For a moment, he could see Nyra again.
She was lying in the grass, her hand resting near one of her fallen swords.
"Nyra..."
He tried to lift his arm.
It barely moved.
His breathing became shallow.
The footsteps sounded farther away now, though he knew the soldiers were approaching.
He couldn't keep his eyes open.
"Please..."
His head dropped.
He fought to raise it one last time.
"Hold on..."
The battlefield disappeared.
Everything went black.
Nightreaver crashed against Lucian's Bloodcrest Blade, forcing him backward.
Lucian stumbled, barely managing to keep his footing as Lord Vaerik Morvayne advanced.
The Fallen lieutenant's curved sword swept toward his ribs.
Lucian twisted aside.
The blade caught his armor, tearing through the damaged plating and opening another wound along his side.
He grunted and staggered.
Vaerik followed immediately.
"You should have fallen minutes ago."
Lucian raised his sword.
"Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you."
Vaerik attacked.
Lucian caught the strike with his Bloodcrest Blade, but the impact nearly knocked the weapon from his hands.
His arms trembled.
He couldn't keep doing this.
Every exchange was taking more out of him, and Vaerik showed little sign of slowing down.
Behind him, Castiel stood with his Shadow Blade raised.
Dark energy continued gathering along the weapon.
The shadows had grown thicker, twisting around the blade in dense currents that seemed to pull at the surrounding light.
Castiel's breathing was uneven.
He could feel the strain traveling through his arm.
The technique wasn't stable.
Not yet.
But he was close.
"Lucian!" he shouted.
Lucian barely turned his head.
"What?"
"I need a little more time!"
Lucian stared at him.
"You're joking."
"I'm not!"
Vaerik's Nightreaver struck again.
Lucian barely blocked.
"How much more time?"
"Just keep him busy!"
Lucian forced Vaerik's weapon aside and stumbled backward.
"Oh, that's a wonderful plan! I'll just ask him to wait while you figure out whatever ridiculous thing you're doing!"
Vaerik vanished into crimson mist.
Lucian's expression changed.
"Castiel!"
The Fallen reappeared beside him.
Nightreaver flashed toward his throat.
Lucian ducked, feeling the blade pass close enough to cut several strands of hair.
He immediately counterattacked.
"Crimson Threads!"
Blood-red strands erupted from his free hand, wrapping around Vaerik's sword arm.
The Fallen snarled and pulled against them.
Lucian tightened his grip.
"You're not going anywhere!"
Vaerik twisted his arm.
The threads began snapping.
Lucian gritted his teeth.
He could feel his strength failing.
"Castiel!"
"I'm trying!"
Castiel tightened his grip on the Shadow Blade.
The darkness surrounding it suddenly shifted.
Instead of spreading outward, the energy began drawing inward toward a single point along the weapon's edge.
Castiel felt the change immediately.
His eyes widened.
The shadows were no longer resisting him.
They were responding.
He raised the blade slightly.
The surrounding darkness followed.
For the first time, he understood what had been missing.
Rend had always been a direct attack, a concentrated release of shadow energy along the edge of his sword.
But this was different.
The darkness was folding inward, gathering into something denser and far more destructive.
Castiel steadied his breathing.
"Come on..."
The energy continued gathering.
Vaerik noticed.
His eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing?"
Castiel didn't answer.
Vaerik looked toward Lucian.
Then back at the growing darkness around Castiel's weapon.
His expression changed.
He could sense the energy building.
Whatever the young human was preparing, it was no ordinary attack.
Vaerik pulled harder against Lucian's Crimson Threads.
The remaining strands snapped.
Lucian stumbled.
Vaerik immediately turned toward Castiel.
"Enough of this."
He raised Nightreaver.
Lucian stepped into his path.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Vaerik glared at him.
"Move."
Lucian wiped blood from his mouth.
"Not happening."
The Fallen attacked.
Lucian met the strike.
Their blades collided, sending a painful shock through his already exhausted arms.
Vaerik pressed forward, forcing him back step by step.
Behind them, Castiel's Shadow Blade continued drawing darkness into its edge.
The energy had become so concentrated that the weapon's outline was beginning to disappear.
Castiel could barely feel his fingers.
But he refused to release it.
Not now.
Not when he was finally beginning to understand.
"Lucian!" he shouted.
"What now?"
"Don't let him reach me!"
Lucian glanced back at him.
"Believe me, I'm doing everything I can!"
Vaerik's next attack nearly drove him to his knees.
Lucian caught himself and pushed back.
He had no idea what Castiel was preparing.
He only knew that if it failed, neither of them would have enough strength left to survive another prolonged exchange.
Castiel lifted his sword.
The shadows gathered tighter.
And Vaerik, sensing the danger, began attacking Lucian with renewed desperation.
The fight was far from over.