The city burned below, but the high road was silent.
Two brothers stood across from one another, flames and light spilling into the smoke-choked sky. The clash had already shaken the quarter, and still neither yielded. Guards hovered at the edges of the road, too afraid to flee, too afraid to stay.
Karl dragged the back of his hand across his mouth, smearing blood down his chin. His grin was sharp but no longer playful. It was raw, edged with fury that tore at his voice.
Kael rolled his shoulders once, golden aura rippling off him in waves. Calm. Composed. That same infuriating steadiness Karl had hated since they were boys.
"Ready to fall, little brother?" Karl growled, voice low.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Ready to bury your delusions."
Karl's claws flexed, red-gold flame dripping from his fingertips like molten metal. The stone beneath him cracked with every step. He surged forward, heat spiraling into a storm.
