The battlefield was a jagged scar of ash and broken stone, the sky bruised violet by the still‑roaring Abyssal Gate. Rain fell in hard, cold sheets, turning the dust to slick mud that clung to armor and flesh.
Mira lay half‑crushed beneath a collapsed column, a deep gash split her left shoulder, blood spreading like dark ink across her bronze breastplate. Her breath came in ragged, shallow pulls; each inhale sent a sharp sting through the wound, and a low, throbbing ache pulsed with every beat of her heart." I should have pulled Raven back." The gash burned as if fire licked the flesh. The roar of the demon bear still echoed, shaking the ground.
Her eyes fluttered open, sight blurred by rain and blood. A shadow moved above her, dark hair slick with storm water, eyes a fierce emerald that seemed to cut through the gloom.
Raven knelt, hand outstretched. From his palm a thin, black‑veined field of energy blossomed, wrapping Mira in a translucent dome of violet light. The field hummed, repelling the bear's claw that crashed against it, scattering sparks like shattered glass.
Raven's voice was hoarse, "Mira, you're okay." He trembled, the forcefield draining his strength; his knees buckled, but the shield held.
Mira's heart hammered, relief flooding her pain. She tried to speak, but Raven cut her off gently, "If I don't save you, who will?"
Q
A crack of lightning split the sky, illuminating Victor as he unsheathed a thin, silver sword. His form shivered, becoming semi‑transparent, flesh turning mist. His jaw clenched, fists tight, eyes burning with malice.
"Raven, you're the only obstacle left," he snarled, voice echoing over the storm. "The Abyssal Gate opened at the perfect moment."
He stepped forward, invisible to all but Raven, the rain slashing his incorporeal shape. Mira, still on the ground, could not see him; her gaze fixed on Raven's trembling silhouette.
Commander Salem sword alight with fire runes, shouted to the remaining legionnaires. The bear, still massive, swiped, scattering soldiers.
Salem summoned a sudden burst of ice from his palm, freezing one of the bear's massive forelimbs. He slashed with his flaming blade, the ice cracking, the limb shattering. The bear roared, pain reverberating through the storm.
With a fierce yell, Salem leapt, driving the fire‑rune sword into the beast's chest. A deafening explosion of flame and frost erupted, the demon collapsing, limbs splintered.
*Salem fell*, blood spilling from his stomach, fists clenched, eyes blazing with anger and grief. "Never again," he growled, voice cracking.
The black field around Mira dissolved, the hum dying. Raven staggered, feeling a hollow emptiness. He remembered the assassin's soul he had sucked—had he also stolen that ability?
"Did the forcefield belong to the assassin?
_Am I becoming a monster?" Raven shrivelled at the thought. Turning to her.
He helped Mira to her feet, her trembling hand finding his shoulder. A faint, unfamiliar energy brushed the air—a whisper of something approaching.
Victor's invisible form whispered in Raven's ear, "I'll end this once and for all." He thrust his sword forward. A sudden surge of power erupted from Raven, a burst of violet light that knocked Mira unconscious and thrust Victor back, his incorporeal shape cracking like glass.
Raven, weapon in hand, fought despite his wounds. Victor, relentless, stabbed Raven's side. Pain flooded Raven; blood painted his chest.
Victor smiled "Even if you die, the gates will keep opening."
Raven, gasping. "If I fall, the world still burns."
Victor raised his blade for the final strike. On his neck a dark rune twisted, pulsing with black light. Raven felt his life slipping, thoughts of failure, revenge, and loss crashing in.
From the Abyssal Gate, a figure emerged—royal purple robes, rune‑covered, a black mask, eyes sparking toxic purple. The ground quaked, rain intensified, thunder booming like drums of war.
He spoke, voice resonant, "I am pleased to meet the Legion here." Legionnaires froze, fear gripping them. Salem, bleeding, stared, his anger turning to dread.
An arrow, tipped with ice runes, pierced Victor's chest. He collapsed, ice spreading, breath ragged. Natasha stepped forward, emerald eyes fierce, golden hair drenched. "You couldn't survive a war without me," she said, voice steady.
Raven, wounded, looked up, relief cutting through pain. Natasha turned to Victor, who whispered his last words" The one who will kill you is yet to come. This earth only sees the first rampage." Natasha and Raven looked taken aback. Raven clenched his fists. " What rubbish are you muttering?" He scowled, wincing from the sharp pain in his abdomen. Victor smirked looking vainly at the duo. Natasha seemed more confused, turning to Raven and back at Victor. " Who is coming?" She questioned. Victor scowled, inhaling sharply. His body pitching and falling and then he slowly relaxed in a stiff position. Victor died, his body dissolving into mist.
Far away, Cecil gathered students, swords and staffs ready. He stared at the sky, lightning cracking, thunder rumbling.
His mind raced, "What have we summoned?"