The sky over Nightfall bled.
Crimson clouds churned violently, twisted by unstable magic and the echo of ancient power unleashed too many times in too short a span. The earth trembled beneath Lucien’s boots as another explosion tore through the western ridge, sending stone and fire spiraling into the air.
The seal was failing.
And everyone could feel it.
Lucien stood at the front line, sword clenched in his trembling hand, lungs burning as he dragged in ragged breaths. Sweat and blood soaked his armor. His once-immortal body screamed for rest, for mercy, for surrender.
He gave it none.
Because the enemy had returned.
Not just the Aegis.
Something worse.
The rift Seraphine had warned him about hovered above the shattered valley like a living wound an enormous tear in reality itsel
