"They came out of nowhere," Borgas muttered, while dragging a broken shield his voice low and edged with frustration. "Slipped through the trees and hit us before we even realized …"
Veythar looked up at the sky, his calm expression darkening. "So be it," he said softly. "They want a war of shadows… then we'll show them what the Fang of Ashencoil truly is."
He turned toward the distant shimmer of Karl's barrier, still glowing faintly at the edge of sight. His words cut through the air like a blade.
"Retreat," he ordered. "When night falls—none of them will leave that place alive."
The forest was quiet again. The sun shone warmly through the branches, and the air smelled clean and fresh after the storm of battle.
Only the soft sounds of nature returned—the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the whisper of the wind through the trees.
From high above, two figures descended through the light. Ember and Serathis swooped down, landing gently near Karl and Liora.
Dust and bits of grass clung to their wings and armor, but both were safe.
Ember shook her wings, sending a few feathers fluttering in the air. Her gray feathers glimmered faintly in the sunlight.
She looked tired, but her golden eyes shone with quiet pride.
Karl hurried forward, kneeling beside her with a smile.
"You were amazing, Ember," he said softly, his voice full of warmth. You protected everyone, I'm proud of you, Ember."
Ember chirped gently, tilting her head as Karl reached out to touch her feathers. His hands glowed with a faint golden light—Breath of Spring.
The light spread softly across her wings, mending small cuts and smoothing her feathers back into place.
"There," Karl said with a smile. "All better. You did everything perfectly. You are brave and strong, Ember."
Ember cooed happily and leaned her head close, brushing his shoulder with her beak in affection.
Not far away, Liora knelt beside Serathis. His armor was scratched and dented, and his body bore the marks of battle. She placed her glowing hands on his shoulders, her voice calm and gentle.
"You fought bravely, Serathis," she said softly.
Serathis nodded and closed his eyes as Liora's healing light flowed over him.
The bruises on his skin faded, and the deep gashes in his armor began to close. His silver chest plate gleamed again in the sunlight.
When she finished, Serathis opened his eyes and smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Liora," he said quietly.
Liora returned the smile.
"No, it's us who should thank you. You and Ember saved so many lives today. Because of you, the Sanctuary is safer because of you."
Karl stood a few steps away, watching them both with pride in his eyes.
"Today, you were unstoppable," he said firmly. "You've shown what courage and unity can do."
Serathis rested his greatsword against the ground and nodded. "We are ready whenever you need us again."
Karl chuckled lightly. "For now, rest. You've done enough."
The four of them stood together for a moment beneath the open sky. Sunlight fell gently through the trees, and the world felt calm again.
Then, from the edge of the forest, Sylus came running. His clothes were dusty, and his breathing quick, but his face carried relief.
"They're retreating," he said, stopping before Karl.
"Veythar's army pulled back—they won't attack again, at least not now."
Karl's shoulders relaxed slightly. He nodded, looking out toward the distant clearing where the battle had raged.
"Good," he said softly. "Then we've bought ourselves time."
Above them, the sky stretched wide and clear. The forest swayed gently in the wind, as if nature itself was sighing in peace after the storm.
As the day faded, gold softened into amber. The cries of birds grew distant, and a cool breath drifted through the leaves, carrying the scent of dusk and damp earth. The battle was over—but only for now.
The Sanctuary stood quiet beneath the fading light, its once-bright barrier flickering weakly above the trees. What had been a dome of silver energy now pulsed like a heartbeat slowing to stillness.
Karl stood at the edge of the clearing, watching. His cloak stirred in the breeze as the last glimmer of the shield dimmed and vanished. The hum of protection was gone.
He exhaled slowly. "The barrier's gone," he murmured. "Now we see if Veythar waits—or strikes again."
The forest answered with nothing but the rustle of branches.
Karl turned to his people, his tone sharp and the calm in his gaze hardening into command.
"Sylus, Veyra—scout ahead. Track their movement. I want to know if they've regrouped and planning to attack again."
Sylus nodded once and disappeared into the shadows. Veyra followed, light and silent as wind.
"Zyra, take Fenn," Karl continued, pointing to the northern ridge. "Stay behind the traps and watch for movement. Fenn, keep hidden in the trees."
Zyra and Fenn nodded,
"Talia with Rorin—east perimeter. Varnok, Doran—south side. Borin, Tomas—west. Stay within range. If you spot movement, don't engage—signal first."
Karl watched until the last pair vanished behind the ferns. Then his tone softened.
"Lysa, train with Korath and Thorn —but don't push them too hard. We'll need them rested."
"Yes, My Lord," Lysa said, bowing slightly before leading Korath and Thorn toward the clearing's edge.
"Toren, Elira— prepare weapons and armors. Make sure nothing's cracked or dull."
Both saluted and got to work.
Finally, Karl looked over the rest of the group—tired faces lit by the soft orange glow of early fires.
"You guy's rest and recover your stamina but stay ready for combat all the times. We're not out of danger yet."
One by one, the fires came alive. The air filled with warmth and faint laughter, fragile but real. For a moment, it almost felt peaceful again.