The world narrowed to fire, steel, and blood.
Zaria’s breath came ragged, her chest burning as though her own flame was consuming her from within. The rogues surged from all sides, their blades striking with mechanical precision, their movements too coordinated for mere outcasts. Every attack drove her back toward Damian and Kael, every step meant to trap her in their noose.
Damian’s blade sang with deadly rhythm, his strikes clean, efficient, merciless. Each swing cut down a rogue before they could close in, his body a fortress shielding Zaria. Yet for every one he felled, three more replaced them.
“Hold your ground!” he barked to the warriors, his voice carrying through the chaos like a battle horn.
Kael, by contrast, fought like a storm unleashed. He spun from horse to ground, movin
