When Pride Falls
Leon's thoughts reeled. If Aden exploded, the whole fortress would be gone. He might survive it, perhaps — the divine object within him could protect his form for an instant. But all the soldiers in Vellore would perish.
Images flashed in his mind—barracks falling, banners burning into their useless ash, the cries of men he had trained with and joked with. He felt every possible death as a branding iron on his flesh. The artifact that lay hidden under his ribcage thrummed in sympathy, impatient to be unleashed, but Leon could already envision the emptiness left behind: a short-lived shelter for one man and devastation for the rest.
He spat a curse. Think, Leon. Think.
Then Aden's aura burst furiously, a dark hurricane of raw power emanating from him. The earth around his boots appeared to tremble as he planted his feet, all his muscles coiled with suppressed rage.
