Smoke and fire still churned over Ironhold Keep. The battle had raged for hours, each second stretched thin by the relentless clash of steel, cries of the wounded, and the roar of men and beasts in combat. Ren stood atop the highest tower, his chest heaving, the glow of Sovereign’s Gambit still coursing through his veins. His people fought like demons, but even this surge of power could only hold for so long.
From the horizon, a shadow darkened the land—larger than any unit, faster than any force. The ground seemed to quiver beneath it. And atop a massive black warhorse rode the figure that had haunted Ren’s every thought since the siege began: General Varik.
He dismounted smoothly, as if the very earth bowed to his presence. His armor gleamed like obsidian under the firelight, crimson s
