The battlefield stretched under a stormy sky, the Void entity's roars shaking the eastern plains as divided forces clashed with its tendrils. Kael led the Solaris vanguard, his broadsword flashing, while Liora commanded the Lunari flank, her daggers a blur. The plan faltered as Torv's troops lagged, their coordination breaking under the entity's assault.
Kael confronted Torv mid-battle, his voice raw. "Why are you holding back?" Torv's eyes narrowed, and with a swift motion, he drew his blade, forcing a duel. Steel clashed, Kael's strength meeting Torv's experience, until a decisive strike disarmed the general. As Torv fell, gasping, he sneered, "The Council has a third shard—it'll end you both."
The revelation stung—Torv's secret allegiance to the Shadow Council exposed. Kael's wound reopened, blood seeping as he staggered, the betrayal cutting deeper than the blade. Liora rushed to his side, her silver eyes wide with worry. "Kael!" she cried, supporting him as the entity loomed closer. The divided forces faltered, Torv's treachery a bitter wound, amplifying the threat they now faced alone.