The first clash of steel and fire shattered the eerie silence of the town. Victor Blackmore led the charge, his mercenaries descending upon the defenders like a tidal wave of death. Isabel’s flames illuminated the battlefield, burning the wooden structures, setting the town ablaze.

  Everett and Victor engaged in a brutal duel, their blades ringing like war drums. Victor’s strikes came with devastating force, each blow carrying the weight of his honed aether. Everett met him head-on, his swordplay refined, but even he struggled against Victor’s overwhelming strength.

  Ren dodged a fireball, the heat almost touching his cheek as Isabel pressed forward, her eyes blazing with confidence. “You should have run when you had the chance,” she taunted, summoning a whirlwind of fire around her.

  Ren couldn’t afford to hold back. He surged forward, his reinforced limbs carrying him with inhuman speed. He weaved through Isabel’s flames, striking with precise, bone-shaking blows, but she countered each time with explosive power.

  Nearby, Celis and Dain cut through the mercenaries, their teamwork flawless. Dain’s brute strength crushed foes with single strikes, while Celis danced through the battlefield, his dagger carving through the chaos with lethal grace. Nyx picked off enemies from the rooftops, he's arrows finding their marks even through the thick smoke and fire.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Screams echoed through the streets as the townspeople fought desperately, some falling, others rising to protect their home. The flames spread faster than expected, the town turning into a furnace of destruction.

  Then, the worst happened.

  A sharp cry rang out. Ren turned just in time to see Everett falter—Victor’s sword buried deep in his shoulder. Blood spurted as Everett collapsed to his knee, struggling to breathe.

  “No!” Ren’s voice cracked with fury.

  Victor pulled his sword free, smirking. “Your leader is down. Give up.”

  But surrender was never an option.

  Ren launched himself at Victor, his entire body pulsating with aether, his reinforced strength crashing into the mercenary leader with the force of a hurricane. The impact sent Victor skidding back, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his face.

  Celis and Dain rushed to Everett’s side, dragging him away from the battlefield as Nyx covered them with a volley of arrows. But Victor wasn’t done. He advanced, his blade poised to finish Everett off.

  Ren moved on instinct, stepping in between them, his entire body screaming in defiance.

  “You’re not taking another step.”

  Victor grinned. “Then die protecting the weak.”