Chapter 25

  The world around Eldric suddenly fell into complete stillness. Time crawled forward at a fraction of its normal pace, as if the very fabric of reality had been slowed to an unbearable degree.

  He turned his head, his movements unnaturally sluggish, to see Reiko standing a short distance away. Her eyes were locked on him, intense and unwavering. Her focus was palpable, a silent command that reverberated through the still air.

  Eldric shifted his gaze back to Ashley. Her sword hovered mid-descent, the blade inching ever so slowly toward its target. Each glint of light off the steel felt like a taunt.

  With a surge of energy, Eldric propelled himself forward, his body cutting through the oppressive slowness like a blade through water. He lunged over Ashley with a burst of strength, his swords flashing in a deadly arc. The throats of the nearest soldiers gave way under the force of his swing, crimson streaking the frozen air.

  As he landed, the world continued to crawl, giving him just enough time to dive toward Fiora. His arm wrapped tightly around her, and in that instant, time slammed back to its normal pace.

  The sudden shift jarred him, but before he could react, a fiery pain ripped through his torso. Ashley’s blade tore into his side, the force of the blow sending him crashing onto the ground with Fiora beneath him.

  A guttural cry escaped his lips as the searing pain radiated through his body. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on Fiora and rolled them both to the side, narrowly avoiding another strike. The sound of four bodies collapsing behind him echoed through the clearing—the soldiers he had cut down finally succumbing to his earlier attack.

  Ashley twisted around, momentarily distracted by the sight of her fallen men.

  Eldric glanced down at his torso, his armor split open to reveal a deep, jagged wound. Blood seeped freely, staining the earth beneath him. Why did she let that happen? he thought, his mind racing.

  He craned his neck to look at Reiko. Her eyes were still locked on him, but her expression had shifted. Confusion and horror flickered across her face.

  “Reiko!” Eldric called out, his voice raw with pain. “Why did you stop halfway through?”

  “I didn’t!” she shouted, her voice sharp with frustration. Her gaze darted to Fiora, then back to Eldric. “Something broke the connection,” she explained, her tone laced with urgency. Adjusting her stance, she refocused her energy, her expression hardening. “You should be fine now. Let’s go again!”

  “Eldric!” Fiora squealed, her voice cutting through the tension.

  Eldric whipped around just in time to see Ashley and three soldiers charging toward them. Without hesitation, Reiko’s influence slowed the world once more, allowing him to spring to his feet.

  The three soldiers fell in quick succession, their bodies crumpling as Eldric’s blades sliced through them with deadly precision.

  He turned his attention to Ashley, raising his swords to strike her from behind. But before the blow could land, Ashley spun with startling speed, her blade intercepting his in a brilliant flash of steel.

  The clash sent Eldric stumbling backward, the jarring impact breaking his rhythm. Time suddenly resumed its normal flow, the unnatural stillness giving way to the chaotic hum of reality.

  Ashley stood her ground, her sword poised and steady. Her piercing gaze met Eldric’s, and a slow, amused smile spread across her lips.

  Eldric’s chest heaved as he glared at her, his mind racing to comprehend what had just happened. How did she block that?

  Ashley tilted her head ever so slightly, her smirk deepening as if she could read his thoughts. The air between them crackled with tension, the battlefield momentarily reduced to a silent standoff.

  Lord Jamdak watched the unfolding scene with an air of quiet amusement, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He took a single step back, and his soldiers followed suit, retreating in unison to form a wide circle around the two combatants. Eldric and Ashley remained locked in a tense standoff, their eyes fixed on one another, the battlefield eerily silent.

  Ashley shifted her weight, her sword poised and ready. She stepped forward as though to strike but hesitated, a sly grin spreading across her face.

  “You know,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery, “this is just how your father died.”

  Eldric’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as her words struck a nerve. Slowly, he raised a hand, signaling for his companions to stand down.

  “I am much stronger than my father,” he said coldly, his voice steady despite the fury simmering beneath. As his swords began to glow with a bright, ethereal light, he added, “Shall I prove it to you? It would be my great pleasure to kill you now.”

  He turned his gaze toward Lord Jamdak, his expression daring the man to intervene.

  Jamdak met Eldric’s glare with a calculating look, then shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m curious to see how this plays out,” he said, his tone measured. “You’ll have no interference from me… for now.”

  “Good,” Eldric growled, his focus snapping back to Ashley.

  He turned slightly to address his companions, his voice firm with authority. “Alicia, Morrigan, Fiora, Reiko—stay out of this. I’ll handle her myself. I’ll beat her with my own strength.”

  Ashley responded with an amused chuckle. Casually, she tossed her sword to the ground, the blade landing with a muted clang. Reaching over her shoulder, she grasped the spear strapped to her back. With fluid precision, she twirled it around her wrists, the weapon a blur in her hands. She slammed its butt into the ground, the impact reverberating through the air. The chiseled head of the spear began to glow a vibrant green, casting an eerie light around them.

  “Shall we dance?” she said, her grin widening.

  Eldric didn’t respond. Instead, he charged forward, his movements sharp and deliberate. As he closed the gap, he forced his mind to relax, allowing his instincts to take over. The world around him seemed to shift, and his consciousness slipped into an alternate reality—a space where time slowed, and he could predict Ashley’s moves before they even happened.

  He saw it: her spear darting toward his wounded torso, aiming for the same spot she had struck before.

  Snapping back into the present, Eldric dropped low, dodging the blow with mere inches to spare. The sharp point of the spear sliced through the air above him.

  He retaliated with a swift upward swing, pouring his strength into the strike. But before his blade could reach her, it collided with the shaft of her spear, the impact ringing out like a thunderclap.

  Ashley moved fluidly, sidestepping with ease as she shifted her grip. She thrust forward, her spear aimed for his heart. Eldric pivoted, narrowly evading the strike, and launched his next attack.

  This time, he feinted right, his blade flashing toward her neck. He was sure he had her.

  But everything shifted in an instant.

  Pain erupted across Eldric’s chest, blistering and all-consuming. His vision blurred as he stumbled back, collapsing to his knees. He gasped, his breath shallow and uneven as his hand instinctively moved to his chest.

  Looking down, he froze in horror.

  Her spear had punctured his armor as if it were no more than cloth, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. Blood poured from the wound, staining the ground beneath him.

  Ashley stood over him, her stance steady, her face a mask of calm confidence. The green glow of her spear illuminated her wicked grin, and for the first time in years, Eldric felt the cold grip of despair.

  Ashley watched with a mixture of amusement and malice as Eldric hunched over, clutching his chest. A thin trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth, staining his chin.

  “I’m sure I just punctured your lung,” Ashley taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. She tilted her head slightly, her grin widening. “How about you give up now?”

  Eldric spat blood onto the ground, forcing a crooked smile despite the pain. “You’re… going to have to try harder than that,” he rasped, his voice raw and strained. He coughed, another spatter of blood staining the dirt at his feet.

  Before she could reply, he forced himself upright, swaying slightly as he steadied his footing. With a sudden burst of resolve, he lunged forward, his swords flashing as he aimed for her gut.

  Once again, Providentia took hold, guiding him to predict her movements. He foresaw her attack and twisted his body just in time to avoid the spear’s glinting tip. Crossing his blades, he prepared for a decisive strike.

  But Ashley was faster.

  Before he could shift his weight for the advance, she ducked low and drove her spear upward. The chiseled tip plunged clean through his left shoulder, the steel emerging gruesomely from his back.

  Eldric froze, his breath hitching as white-hot pain radiated through his body. He stared at the protruding spearhead in stunned disbelief.

  Ashley yanked the weapon free with merciless force, and Eldric crumpled to the ground, his mind reeling. The sharp, wet sound of the spear leaving his flesh echoed in his ears.

  Why is this not working?

  Struggling against the searing pain, Eldric forced his trembling right hand to grip the hilt of one of his swords. With great effort, he drove the blade into the earth and leaned against it, using it as leverage to push himself upright. His legs wobbled, his vision swam, but he refused to give in.

  Ashley loomed over him, her shadow cutting a dark shape across his broken form. She leaned down slightly, her voice low enough for only him to hear.

  “It’s not so easy, is it?” she whispered, her tone cruel and smug. “When your adversary has the same advantage as you?”

  Her words sent a chill through Eldric, but he refused to show fear. He wiped at the blood trickling from his mouth and glared at her. “What are you talking about?” he demanded, his voice hoarse.

  “Providentia,” Ashley replied snidely, her grin stretching wide. “You’re not the only one with that gift. And, judging by the state you’re in, it seems I’m better at using it.” She straightened, twirling her spear with ease. “After all, you’re the one bleeding out on the ground.”

  Eldric’s heart thundered in his chest. “How… how can you?” he cried out, his voice trembling. “I was told Providentia is unique to my bloodline. You’d have to be related to me for it to…”

  His voice faltered as the truth dawned on him, his mind racing to piece it together. His eyes locked onto hers, the realization hitting him like a tidal wave.

  “Who… who are you?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

  Ashley’s expression remained cold, unyielding. “That,” she said coolly, “is a very good question dear brother. What matters is that your life ends here.”

  She stepped back, her movements precise and deliberate, as she readied her spear for a final strike.

  “Screw you!” Eldric roared, summoning every last ounce of his strength. He yanked his sword from the ground and charged at her, his resolve burning brighter than his pain.

  He swung low, aiming for her legs, but Ashley deflected the attack with ease. With a quick thrust, she pushed him back, sending him staggering.

  Eldric barely had time to recover before her spear shot forward, its tip aimed directly at his throat.

  His vision blurred as exhaustion and pain clouded his senses. The world seemed to slow as the spear neared its target. Too disoriented to defend himself, Eldric shut his eyes tightly, bracing for the inevitable.

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  A sharp TWANG rang out from behind Eldric, followed by the faint whisper of something cutting through the air. An unsettling breeze brushed his cheek, and he opened his eyes just in time to witness a flash of green light.

  An arrow buried itself deep in Ashley’s chest, punching through her armor as though it were not even there. The force of the impact sent her stumbling backward, her spear falling mere inches from Eldric’s throat. She tripped, struggling to regain her balance as blood seeped through the puncture in her armor.

  Ashley groaned, trying to pull herself up, but before she could, another arrow whistled toward her. The second shaft struck with brutal precision, embedding itself alongside the first.

  Eldric turned his head, his gaze landing on Reiko, who stood with her eyes locked on a high branch overhead.

  She’s using her magic on Nyssa, Eldric thought.

  Above, Nyssa nocked a third arrow, her movements unnaturally fluid under Reiko’s control. Eldric turned back around, watching as Ashley’s wide eyes tracked the arrow’s approach.

  TWANG.

  But before the arrow could reach its mark, a shimmering orange barrier materialized between Ashley and her attacker. Lord Jamdak leapt in front of her, his hand outstretched as the magic shield absorbed the projectile’s force and stopped it midair. The arrow clattered uselessly to the ground as the barrier flickered out of existence.

  Lord Jamdak turned and offered Ashley a hand, helping her to her feet. Her face twisted in pain, but she didn’t protest. Instead, she snapped the shafts of the two lodged arrows near their base, leaving the heads buried in her chest to avoid worsening the wounds.

  “I call foul play,” Lord Jamdak said, his voice dripping with contempt. He stepped forward, his piercing green eyes locking on Eldric. “You two can finish this little squabble later. But first, Ashley has a village to destroy, and I have some wizards to kill.” He pointed toward Alicia and Morrigan, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

  Ashley swallowed hard, suppressing a wince as she straightened. Without a word, she turned and marched toward her battalion, her every step heavy with barely contained pain.

  Behind her, Lord Jamdak’s voice rang out again, cold and commanding. “Be sure to leave no survivors, Ashley. Do not fail me this time.”

  Ashley paused, then turned to address her soldiers, her voice carrying over the ranks. “You heard him! Now, march!”

  The thunderous shuffle of thousands of boots filled the air as her army moved into formation.

  Eldric collapsed to the ground, his strength finally giving out. Pain racked his body, and he writhed on the dirt as the army marched past, their steps relentless and uncaring.

  How could she have beaten me so easily? he thought, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and despair. How!?

  A familiar figure appeared beside him, her urgency cutting through the haze of his thoughts.

  “Eldric!” Reiko called, dropping to her knees. She pressed one hand to his chest and the other to his torso, a warm glow emanating from her palms. Eldric felt the magic flow into him, knitting his wounds closed with careful precision.

  His breathing steadied, and he managed to sit up, though pain still radiated through his chest. He tried to push himself to his feet, but a sharp stab in his lungs sent him crumpling back down.

  “Be careful,” Reiko admonished, her tone firm. “I closed your wounds, but I couldn’t heal the internal damage. Your lungs are torn. You need to take it easy.”

  Eldric nodded weakly, allowing Reiko to help him to his feet. Leaning heavily on her for support, they hobbled toward Alicia and Morrigan, who stood a short distance away, their gazes locked on Lord Jamdak.

  The tension between the wizards was palpable. Lord Jamdak’s lips curled into a smirk as he looked towards Alicia and Morrigan, his presence radiating an unsettling confidence.

  “Why are you doing this?” Morrigan snapped, her voice trembling with equal parts anger and disbelief. “Those are your people out there! The ones you’ve just sent Ashley to slaughter!”

  Lord Jamdak turned toward her, his emerald eyes cold and unyielding. “A necessary loss for the greater good,” he replied, his tone disturbingly calm. “I needed to keep the two of you occupied while I harvested the Lunaflare and regained my strength. Now that I’ve reclaimed my youth, this world no longer has a place for you—or any other wizards.”

  “But why?” Alicia pleaded, stepping forward, her voice cracking under the weight of her despair. “You, of all people, with your convictions about peace and order. How can you stand there and drive this world into ruin?”

  “Poor Alicia,” Jamdak taunted, shaking his head. “You’ve never been blessed with the ability to grasp the bigger picture.”

  Alicia’s eyelid twitched at his words, her fists clenching at her sides.

  “You are a na?ve fool,” Jamdak continued, his tone cutting like a blade. “And so, you must die.”

  Before anyone could react, Nyssa leapt down from her perch, landing gracefully between Eldric, Reiko, and Jamdak. She nocked an arrow, her hands steady despite the tension. The shaft glowed bright green, crackling with energy as she aimed it directly at Jamdak’s heart.

  “You must get out of here,” Alicia declared, her voice sharp with authority as she stepped closer to Jamdak.

  “This does not concern you,” Morrigan added, moving to stand beside Alicia.

  “Oh, what is this?” Jamdak said, his lips curling into a wicked smile. “Are you truly that eager to die?”

  “We have no choice,” Alicia replied firmly, her eyes blazing with determination. “We may die today, but you’ll go with us.”

  Jamdak let out a low, mocking laugh. “I must admit, I admire your determination,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

  As the tension thickened, Reiko broke away from Eldric and Nyssa, stepping in front of Alicia and Morrigan. Her gaze bore into Jamdak, fierce and unyielding.

  “Do you honestly think you can beat the three of us?” she asked, her voice steady and brimming with confidence.

  Without waiting for a reply, she raised her hands, summoning a surge of power. Lightning crackled to life around her, encircling Alicia and Morrigan in a protective storm. The electricity danced across their skin, illuminating the three of them in a brilliant glow.

  The storm dissipated just as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving the air charged with energy. Reiko narrowed her eyes at Jamdak.

  “I welcome you to try,” she said, her voice low and dangerous.

  Jamdak’s smirk faltered ever so slightly, his gaze flickering to the three women before him. The battlefield seemed to hold its breath, teetering on the edge of chaos.

  Jamdak studied Reiko for a moment, his piercing green eyes gleaming with a mixture of intrigue and disdain. “It’s a real shame you must die, young one,” he said, his voice calm but laced with finality. A faint smile tugged at his lips. “I see great potential in you. However, wizards have no place in this world. They only bring turmoil.”

  Before Reiko could respond, a voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the clearing, cutting through the tension like a blade.

  “This is not your fight, children. We need you to survive.”

  A sudden gust of wind whipped through the battlefield, sending dirt and debris spiraling into the air. The whirlwind churned in front of Reiko, obscuring her vision, before settling abruptly. Standing where the chaos had been moments before were two cloaked figures—one draped in white, the other in black.

  “Well, this is turning into a real party,” Jamdak said with a forced laugh, though a subtle edge of fear crept into his voice.

  The figure in white stepped forward, her hood drawn low. “You and Morrigan are needed in Valifield,” Syra said, her voice firm and unyielding as she addressed Alicia. “Go there now!”

  Without hesitation, Alicia and Morrigan darted toward Eldric, Fiora, and Nyssa. In an instant, the five of them vanished into thin air, leaving Reiko standing alone with the cloaked figures.

  Jamdak’s gaze darted between the three remaining figures, his brow furrowing as he pieced something together. He took a step forward, his eyes narrowing on Reiko.

  “You two,” he said slowly, his voice low and calculating, “you have some sort of connection to this girl, don’t you?” He studied Reiko carefully, the lines of his face hardening with realization. His eyes widened as understanding dawned.

  “That’s why the writing on the black monument kept changing,” Jamdak declared, his voice rising with triumph. “You’ve been manipulating time!”

  The figure in black pulled back her hood, revealing a sharp, unyielding gaze. “You truly are perceptive, Lord Jamdak,” Eira said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. I must admit, you’re looking well.”

  Jamdak allowed a faint smile to cross his lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It is good to see you both,” he replied. “However, I suspect the pleasantries are about to end.”

  Reiko took a step forward, her fists clenched at her sides, her voice trembling with fury. “You need to stop your plan!” she shouted, her words slicing through the still air. “You’re leading the world to destruction. I’ve seen it!”

  Jamdak turned his attention to her, his expression cool but questioning. “Oh, you’ve seen it, have you?” he said mockingly before shifting his gaze to Syra and Eira. “Tell me, why are you so determined to stop me? Surely, you’re wise enough to understand there is no other way. This world is broken. These people must be ruled by absolute power, or the fighting will never end. Why can’t you see this?”

  Syra stepped forward, her movements deliberate, her dagger gleaming as she pulled it from its sheath. “What you hope to accomplish is doomed to fail,” she said, her voice calm but resolute. “We’ve tried to reason with you before, Jamdak, but you were too blind to see the truth. This time, there will be no words—only battle.”

  Eira joined Syra’s side, her eyes blazing with the same unyielding determination. The air between them and Jamdak grew heavy, charged with impending violence.

  “This time, you say?” Jamdak asked, his voice dripping with curiosity. His eyes narrowed as he studied them. “It makes me wonder just how much you’ve meddled with the timeline. Do satisfy my curiosity—tell me about the girl.” He pointed directly at Reiko, his smirk deepening.

  “She is leaving now,” Eira said firmly. She stepped forward, placing a hand on Reiko’s shoulder.

  Before Reiko could protest, her body began to dissolve into a blur of light. The forest and the confrontation vanished in an instant, leaving her breathless.

  Reiko gasped as her surroundings came into focus. She found herself standing atop a hill at the forest’s edge, overlooking the sprawling expanse of Valifield below. The sounds of chaos filled her ears—shouts of desperation mingled with the metallic clash of swords and the rhythmic thud of battle drums.

  Her heart sank as she saw Ashley’s forces locked in a brutal skirmish with Alicia’s army. Steel clashed against steel in a chaotic dance of survival, the air thick with the acrid stench of blood and smoke.

  Suddenly, a brilliant orange light erupted from deep within the forest. The ground beneath her feet trembled violently, and a deafening boom shook her to her core. Reiko turned, her eyes widening as a massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky, its base expanding outward with terrifying speed.

  The ground buckled and heaved, toppling nearby trees like fragile dominoes. Reiko leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding a massive trunk crashing to the ground. Her breath came in short gasps as she steadied herself, only to be blinded by another brilliant flash of orange light.

  The shockwave hit her like a physical force, hurling her backward onto the rocky ground. Her ears rang as she struggled to rise, her limbs trembling. She turned her gaze back to the forest, just in time to see another explosion rip through the trees, followed by another, and another.

  Each blast sent a powerful wave of energy tearing through the landscape, uprooting trees, scattering debris, and carving deep scars into the earth. Reiko stared, awestruck and terrified, as the forest seemed to collapse in on itself.

  Then, suddenly, the explosions stopped.

  Reiko froze, her wide eyes fixed on the towering mushroom clouds. The dense plumes darkened, their edges curling inward as they began to swirl ominously. A deafening storm of lightning erupted from the churning clouds, bolts striking the earth with unparalleled fury.

  “That’s incredible,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar of destruction.

  A final, blinding flash lit up the sky, so bright that Reiko cried out in pain, squeezing her eyes shut. Even behind closed lids, the light seared her vision.

  For a brief, haunting moment, the world fell deathly silent.

  Then, with a thunderous roar, an enormous shockwave tore through the forest, flattening everything in its path. Trees were stripped bare and splintered into jagged shards that shot through the air like deadly missiles. The ground shook violently beneath her as she clung to the hillside for balance.

  Her breath hitched as she realized the scale of the devastation. What power is capable of this? she wondered, her heart pounding.

  Reiko closed her eyes, drawing on the magic coursing through her veins. With steady breaths, she conjured a protective shield, a translucent dome of energy that shimmered faintly around her. Splintered wood and jagged debris rained down, pelting the barrier with relentless force. She gritted her teeth, holding the shield firm as the storm of destruction raged on.

  When the chaos finally subsided, Reiko released her magic and opened her eyes. The landscape that greeted her was unrecognizable. Flattened trees sprawled across the earth like toppled dominoes, their broken forms littering the ground for miles. Near the site of the hut, an enormous crater had swallowed the forest floor.

  This is completely unreal, she thought, her breath catching in her throat.

  The sounds of the chaos in Valifield pierced through her shock. The cries of the wounded and the clash of steel brought her back to the present. I’ve got to get down there and help them.

  Brushing herself off, Reiko took off at a sprint down the hillside. Her boots skidded across loose dirt and broken branches as she descended, her heart pounding with urgency.

  As she approached the outskirts of Valifield, her eyes fell on Eldric. He was slumped against a tree, his head tilted forward, blood staining his armor. His wounds had reopened, and dark red streaks painted his torso. Reiko rushed to his side, panic gripping her.

  “Eldric!” she cried, kneeling beside him. She scanned the battlefield for Fiora and spotted her several yards away, holding back an advancing wave of Ashley’s soldiers.

  Fiora moved with deadly precision, weaving through the chaos like a tempest. Her glowing fists struck down one brute after another, each punch sending her opponents crumpling to the ground. A faint blue glow around her intensified with every blow.

  Reiko’s focus snapped back to Eldric as his breathing grew shallow. His chest barely rose, and his pallor worsened by the second. Before she could react further, a thunderous roar of boots caught her attention.

  Fifteen men charged toward them, their weapons raised and faces twisted in murderous intent.

  Reiko looked to the sky. With a sharp jerk of her fist, she summoned a cascade of lightning from the sky. Fifteen blinding bolts struck their targets in perfect unison, reducing the entire group to lifeless heaps.

  Eldric, barely clinging to consciousness, caught a fleeting glimpse of Reiko’s glowing figure. She spun on her heel, her hand lifting once more. Another twenty soldiers rushed forward, and another round of lightning obliterated them before they could even raise their weapons.

  Across the battlefield, Alicia and Morrigan fought valiantly alongside Rendrick and Nyssa. The four of them carved a path through the horde, their weapons flashing and their magic blazing. But the endless tide of soldiers began to take its toll. Their movements slowed, their strikes grew sloppy, and exhaustion etched itself into their faces.

  Alicia pushed forward, her eyes locking on Reiko and Fiora in the distance. “We have to retreat!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the din of battle.

  Eldric let out a guttural wail, his body convulsing before falling still once more. Fiora’s head whipped around at the sound, and she abandoned her position to rush to his side. She dropped to her knees, scooping him into her arms as tears streamed down her face.

  “We can’t keep this up much longer!” Morrigan cried, her sword barely deflecting a soldier’s blade. “There are thousands of them!”

  “This battle is lost,” Alicia declared, her voice heavy with sorrow. “Valifield is lost. We must go now!”

  Reiko nodded grimly, her magic still crackling faintly around her hands as the group braced for their next move. The fight wasn’t over, but survival had become their only option.

  “Leaving so soon?” A snide voice calls out. Ashley emerges from a wall of men and holds out her fist. The soldiers nearby abruptly halt their assault. Alicia, Morrigan, Nyssa, Rendrick, and Reiko take advantage of this small window to rush over to Eldric and Fiora.

  They huddle up, creating a human barrier around him. Ashley calls her soldiers back to formation and orders them to surround the dilapidated group, constricting them on all sides. The men stand silently at attention, smirking as they patiently await their next command.

  “It would seem that you seven are all that remains of this god-forsaken rat hole,” Ashley says. “Look around you.” She gestures to her army. “Seven cannot possibly stand a chance against seven thousand.” The soldiers let out a mighty roar that echoes through the valley and then falls back to attention. “You have lost,” Ashley decrees, “So make it easy on yourselves and just give up.”

  “You are right, we have lost this fight,” Alicia agrees. “But we will not die here today.”

  “Now!” Reiko cries in pain. She grabs Eldric and locks hands with the others. In a blinding flash, they disappear.