Light returned to the cave, but it was dim and feeble.
The all-consuming black mist had dissipated, leaving an acrid, unpleasant smell in the air.
Velin stood his ground. The moment his vision cleared, he immediately tried to reconnect to the Hive Matrix.
'Sarah!'
'Father, I'm alright.'
As the black mist dissipated, Sarah's mental link was restored, and communication was smooth.
Velin relaxed. "Contract the network. Clean up the battlefield."
He turned and surveyed his surroundings.
The cave was in shambles.
Barrett and his scouts emerged from behind their cover, unscathed.
But Ola's Knight Order was in bad shape.
"Damn it!" Ola's roar echoed through the cave as he kicked away a piece of smoking rubble at his feet.
His Knights were staggering, barely able to stand.
Although the black mist was brief, those who were closer had inevitably inhaled some of it.
