Broken spears and cracked shields lay scattered across the forest floor near the riverbank.
The once-proud banners of the Celestial Guards were torn and dirtied, hanging limply in the mud.
The clash had ended, but the aftermath was a grim reminder of how close Kael had come to being captured.
Groans of pain echoed faintly behind him, some soldiers clutching at broken arms, gasping from bruised ribs, and writhing from deep cuts carved by the storm of his Abyssal Cyclone.
He had held back from killing them, forcing his body and will to restrain the full devastation of the skill.
Death would have been easier, but he couldn't stain his hands with needless slaughter.
Even so, their lives were shattered. They would not rise to pursue him tonight.
Kael's steps dragged across the forest path. His body has trembled uncontrollably, drained from summoning the forbidden power of the Abyss Warden.
