The corrupted scout jumped at Kale, catching him completely off guard. Kale couldn't react fast enough. The scout slammed into him, knocking him aside just as a blast of raw energy surged through the air. Kale hit the ground hard, breath knocked from his chest as he turned to see the scout take the full force of the blast.

It all happened in an instant, one final act of defiance. The scout had sacrificed his life to protect him, a stranger he didn't even know. Kale's mind struggled to process it. He didn't even know the man's name.

The mage stood across from him, his lips curling into a condescending smile. "Bladeweavers," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "A relic of a forgotten age. Worthless."

Kale's anger flared, grief igniting into a raging inferno. He glared at the mage. "Say that again," he growled.

His eyes, which usually glowed with a soft blue light, now flared bright red, tapping into a power deep within him that he hadn't known was there. Swiftform activated on instinct, the world around him crawling to a stop as he summoned blade, after blade, after blade.

Hundreds of swords materialized around him, each one burning with the same raw fury coursing through Kale's veins. The blades shot forward in a relentless barrage, slashing into the mage. They tore through flesh and bone, reducing him to nothing but a crimson mist.

Shreds of the mage were scattered across the corrupted streets, the ground slick with the aftermath. The metallic tang of blood mixed with the lingering stench of decay, hanging in the air like a grim reminder of the destruction.

Liliana and Rika stood frozen, eyes wide with shock. For them, it had all happened in the blink of an eye. The corrupted scout's lunge, Kale's growl, and then the mage being obliterated before they could even comprehend what was happening.

Liliana caught the brief red glow that faded from Kale's eyes. "Oh no…" she whispered.

Kale collapsed to his knees, exhaustion pressing down on him. His body trembled, drained both mentally and physically. He stared at the ribbons of what had once been the priest, now strewn across the street like scraps of meat. Hundreds of blades stuck in the tiny, torn remains, a grotesque display of his unleashed power.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The silence was suffocating, wrapping around them as they stood in the aftermath of the carnage.

Rika was the first to move. She stepped forward and rested a hand on Kale's shoulder. "Come on, Kale," she said quietly. "We should go."

Kale didn't respond at first. His mind was lost in a sea of grief, rage, and confusion. But slowly, he nodded and forced himself to his feet. Together, they turned away from the carnage, leaving behind the shattered remains.

***

As they rode the wagon toward Khor'dun, the memory of what had just happened hung over them like a storm cloud. There were no jokes, no banter, not even a whisper of conversation. The silence between them carried unspoken questions and emotions they didn't dare voice. Each jolt of the wagon seemed to underline the chaos they had left behind.

The road stretched on in silence, but inside, Kale was unraveling.

***

When they arrived at Khor'dun, a man approached them without a word and motioned for them to follow. He led them through the winding streets until they reached Brakkan's base of operations. Kale stepped inside, his heart heavy with grief, his mind replaying the events that had just unfolded.

Brakkan stood waiting, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the room. As Kale stepped inside, Brakkan's gaze locked onto him, sharp and assessing. The emptiness in Kale's eyes was impossible to miss—distant, hollow, the look of a man who had walked through grief and carried its scars. He didn't need to ask.

"I see…" Brakkan said, knowing that Kale had found the missing scouts.

Kale's emotions churned, a storm of anger and grief. He wanted to scream, to lash out at the man in front of him, but deep down, he knew it wasn't Brakkan's fault. They were bladeweavers, bound to a purpose far greater than themselves, fighting battles they might never see the end of. The risks had always been clear, a constant shadow over every step they took. Death had been part of the equation from the start, even for him.

But that didn't make the pain any less.

After a long, agonizing pause, Kale finally spoke. "What was his name?"

Brakkan raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"The squad leader," Kale clarified. "The one who... saved me."

Brakkan's expression softened, just for a moment. He spoke the name with a quiet reverence.

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"Thalmar."

Kale bowed his head, the name carving itself into his memory. "I'll never forget him."

Brakkan sighed heavily. "He was a good man, Thalmar. I'll have to tell his two little girls their father won't be coming home. But we'll take care of them... as best as we can."

Kale's chest tightened. Thalmar's face flashed before his eyes—his final moments, the sacrifice, the pain. The thought of two children growing up without their father added another layer to the grief already crushing him. Kale swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check.

Brakkan didn't wait for a response, his gaze hardening as he shifted his focus back to the present. "Now, Kale," he said. "What did you find in Khor'vel?"

Kale looked to Liliana and Rika, exchanging silent glances. His voice was still raw, but he steadied himself, knowing Brakkan needed to know the full story.

"It was worse than we expected," Kale began, the memories flooding back with every word. "The city... it's completely overrun. Decayed. Corrupted. The streets were empty, but it didn't feel deserted. It felt like the city was... alive. Like it was waiting for us."

Rika nodded in agreement, her arms crossed tightly against her chest. "The air there... I've never smelled anything like it. The rot, the decay, it clung to everything. It felt like we were breathing death."

Liliana, always the most observant, added her own take. "It's not just a corrupted city. It's spreading, Brakkan. Whatever darkness has taken root in Khor'vel, it's not contained. It's like the city is diseased, and it's pushing that disease further out into the land. The symbols on the walls—they weren't random. There's something deliberate about the corruption. Thalmar confirmed it's tied to Xeroth."

Brakkan listened intently. He stepped closer, his imposing frame towering over the group, but it was clear that beneath the hardened exterior, he was concerned. "Xeroth…" he said. "So it is as we feared."

Kale nodded. "The mage we encountered wasn't just some random fanatic either. He knew we were coming. It wasn't a coincidence. He taunted us, like he was expecting this. Maybe they knew you'd send people when the scouts didn't return. Maybe they were waiting to ambush us. Or maybe they don't care if we know, maybe they think we can't stop them."

Kale paused. "Xeroth's followers have been spreading corruption. We saw it before at Orestios's temple, and we interrupted their ritual there, but who knows how many more places they've tainted?"

Brakkan's face darkened at the mention of the mage. "Did you kill him?"

Kale took a deep breath. "Yes. I—" He paused, remembering the surge of power, the red glow in his eyes, and the fury that consumed him. He glanced at Liliana, who had noticed it too, but she said nothing.

"Yes," Kale repeated. "He's dead. But it wasn't just him. We found more… creatures—decayed, twisted versions of what they used to be. The scouts... corrupted beyond recognition. They attacked us."

Rika spoke up. "They were still in there, though. For a moment, I saw it. They weren't mindless. They remembered who they were... at least, part of them did. They tried to fight back, but the corruption had taken too much."

Kale clenched his fists. "Thalmar... he sacrificed himself to protect me. I didn't even know his name until now."

Brakkan's face remained stoic, though his eyes softened ever so slightly. "Thalmar was a loyal warrior. He never hesitated to do what needed to be done... to think even he could fall to this corruption..."

"It's worse than we thought," Liliana said. "Xeroth's power is growing, and Khor'vel is just the beginning. If we don't act soon, more cities will fall. The corruption will spread. I guarantee it."

"Then we have no time to waste," Brakkan said as he turned to Kale. "You've seen what's out there. You know what we're facing. I'm counting on you to hold steady."

Kale nodded, though a part of him wondered if Brakkan was just trying to reassure him. He doubted this was the worst of it—deep down, he had the sinking feeling things would only get darker from here. He looked at Liliana and Rika, both standing firm by his side, drawing a deep breath to steady himself.

"We won't let Thalmar's sacrifice be in vain. We'll stop this. Whatever it takes."

"I'll check out Khor'vel personally," Brakkan said. "Whatever remains there, I'll deal with it."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kale asked.

For a brief moment, Brakkan's eyes flashed with anger, as if Kale had insulted him. He straightened, his presence filling the room. "Boy," he growled, "I've been fighting since before you were born. I am a general of the bladeweavers. Do you think some corrupted mages are going to stop me?"

Brakkan continued. "Besides, you have another mission. You'll go to Dreadstone in Hekkaran and find Morrgar Doomblade, the temple guardian. He needs to know what has happened here."

Kale hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Doomblade? Why do they call him that?"

"Because if you ever see his blade... you're already dead."

He held Kale's gaze for a moment longer, then added with a cold, humorless chuckle, "Pray you only meet him as an ally."

Brakkan reached into his cloak and pulled out a map, shoving it into Kale's hands. "This will guide you. Go now, warn him before the corruption spreads any further."

Kale hesitated for only a moment before taking the map, feeling the urgency of the situation pressing on him. "I won't fail," he said.

Brakkan gave a short nod. "Good. Then don't waste time." His words left no room for further argument.

Brakkan regarded them a moment longer. "Stay sharp. Hekkaran will test you in ways you're not ready for."

***

Rika gave the wagon a final pat, almost like saying goodbye to an old friend, before turning to the creatures Brakkan had arranged for their journey. Three animals stood waiting, slightly larger than horses, but far more imposing. With powerful, muscular bodies and thick, coarse fur. They were built for endurance, and their sturdy legs ended in claws capable of gripping even the roughest terrain.

"They're called borhounds," Brakkan had explained earlier. "Stronger than any horse and bred for battle. They can carry you, your gear, and then some, without breaking a sweat."

Rika adjusted the two massive warhammers crossed on her back—Guts and the Hammer of the Hiwani. She gave one of the borhounds an approving look, running her hand along its muscular neck. "You'll do just fine."

Kale mounted his borhound, feeling the immense strength beneath him. The creature moved smoothly, its claws digging into the earth with every step. "These are going to make sure we get to Dreadstone in record time," Kale said, nodding to himself.

Rika swung up onto her borhound, the twin warhammers shifting slightly but staying secure on her back. "Let's hope Morrgar Doomblade's ready for us."

Liliana hovered over to her borhound. "We need to move fast. There's no time to waste."

With a nod, the trio set off. The borhounds moved with surprising speed, their powerful legs propelling them across the rugged terrain with ease. The wind whipped around them, but the beasts pressed forward, unfazed by the heat or the rough ground beneath their paws.

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