When Ethan led the Emerald Castle army to the capital of the Kazzan Empire, the place was eerily quiet—almost deserted.
Most of the enemy forces had already been deployed elsewhere by Caedor, scattered across the other two battlefronts.
It looked like the perfect time to strike.
But just as Ethan was about to give the order to attack, a deep rumbling echoed from beneath the ground.
Rrrrmmmm…
"What the hell is that?!" someone shouted. "Where are all these vines coming from?!"
"Oh god—they're draining my power!"
Panic erupted through the Emerald Castle ranks. Soldiers screamed as their energy was ripped from their bodies in an instant. Some collapsed where they stood, lifeless, their chests pierced clean through by the writhing vines.
Feylora's eyes went wide. She grabbed one of the thick, pulsing tendrils and yanked it with all her strength, tearing it apart with a snarl.
"Master! These vines—they're just like the ones we saw in the Bloodroot Lair!"
