The Battle Begins
Rain's Point of View
The world broke apart the moment Azrath raised his hand.
I felt it before I saw it — the ground trembling like it was afraid. Then came the sound, deep and angry, a growl that rose from the earth itself. The soil split open, and from it came the souls of the fallen Nocturnis, screaming in voices that didn't sound human anymore. They were shadows — cold, empty things — and they moved as one, answering only to him.
Azrath's laughter echoed through the chaos. It wasn't loud, but it crawled under my skin.
The wolves around me started to shift, growling, ready to attack. The witches raised their hands, light already sparking at their fingertips. I could feel their fear, their confusion.
"Fall back!" I yelled.
No one moved. The wind carried my voice across the battlefield, but they were frozen, staring at me like I'd lost my mind.
"I said fall back!" I shouted again. "This fight is mine!"
"Rain, you can't!" one of the witches cried.
