THE RISE OF SHADOWS
The dawn was pale, stretching over a forest scarred by battle and power. Smoke lingered from the previous night’s skirmishes, twisting in the wind like phantom tendrils. Nara stood atop a ridge, crimson energy flaring faintly around her, Kael’s shadow weaving protectively beside her.
Below, Fenric’s packs were gathering, a massive force numbering in the hundreds, their formation precise, coordinated, and merciless. Nara’s bloodline pulsed in warning. This was no mere skirmish—it was a war engineered to annihilate them, their allies, and anyone who might oppose Zephyros’ shadow dominion.
Kael’s amber eyes scanned the field, calculating and lethal. “They’ve learned from the last assault,” he muttered. “This isn’t random—it’s designed to test us. They’ll exploit every w
