Flame ripped through the towering walls of Elarion, painting the sky with gold and crimson. Screams and the clash of steel echoed through the city as beast surged through the gate like moving tide of darkness. The heirs drew their blades, their faces pale but fierce.
Ammon felt the heat scorched his cheek as another wall exploded behind him. He caught Ayden's eyes- no words, just understanding. In the next breath, they charged.
"Stay close", Ayden shouted. His flame bursting like molten wings. The ground perished beneath their step as his fiery aura scorched anything in its path.
Ammon swung his blade, slicing the beast that lunged towards him. Another came- larger and faster- but he twisted away, slicing it's throat. Blood hissed against fire. Yet, they were too many.
" Left flank", Prince Adler commanded, his voice above the roar. His blade dancing like lightning, slicing through the monstrous horde. Princess Anya flame followed, summoning thousands of blades wreathed in flame, tearing through rows of beasts.
Ammon ducked as a claw grazed past his ear. His blade met the creature arm then snapped in two. The shattered edges clattered to the burning ground.
He froze for a heartbeat Staring at the fragments of his sword. "Not now..., he whispered. His breath trembling."
A beast lunged at him but Ayden's flame, surged intercepting in a blast of fury.
"Don't stop, Ammon".
Ammon clenched his fist, grabbing a fallen spear. " I won't".
They fought side by side, every strike a blur of desperation and resolve. Around them, the heirs unleashed their full might, their powers blazing against the darkness. For a fleeting moment, it seemed the tide has turned.
And then- the air changed.
A chilling wind swept through the castle, snuffling out the flames. Something dark was moving in- entering into the very walls of Elarion.
Ayden felt it first- a pulse of corruption, familiar and vile. His flame flickered uncertainly- "Ammon something's not right."
Ammon looked towards the castle great tower, where the last ember still glowed, and within that faint light- something stirred.
But the heirs ignored.