The ruin shook as the ground split open, voidlight spilling like blood. The scattered husks shrieked and pulled back, forming ranks. Out of the fissure rose a figure far larger than the knight Kael had struck down.
The Host Commander emerged—its armor jagged, a crown of broken horns twisting upward, and in its gauntleted hands a blade forged of pure darkness that howled as if it devoured the air itself.
"Children of the fallen blood," the Commander's voice thundered, each word a vibration that rattled the bones of Kael and his companions. "You defy the Sovereign's will. Your end will be written in ash."
The army roared and surged forward once more.
Kael stepped ahead of his companions, his crimson hair whipping in the storm of black lightning now cloaking him. His gaze locked on the Commander. "Stay sharp. He's not like the others."
"Finally," Aric muttered, twirling his blades with a reckless grin. "Something worth bleeding for."
"Don't get cocky!" Seliora snapped, hurling a warding sigil that burst into flame above them. It spread out, slowing the tide of lesser husks to keep the field from collapsing around them.
Darius slammed his shield into the ground, his voice booming like a drum. "Form on me when the wave breaks!"
The Host charged, a wall of black steel and shrieks. Kael moved first, his greatsword flashing.
"Crimson Sever!" His blade cleaved a swath through the horde, scattering them like wheat in the storm. Aric darted in his wake, blades carving through stragglers. Seliora's fire twisted into living serpents, coiling through ranks and exploding.
But the Commander advanced unhurried, every step shaking the battlefield. It raised its abyssal blade and swung once—just once.
The air screamed.
The shockwave ripped through Seliora's flame ward and hurled Darius back into the wall, his shield cracking from the force. Aric barely rolled aside, and Kael himself had to brace his sword to avoid being flung away.
"This thing…" Seliora whispered, sweat streaking her face. "It carries the Sovereign's shadow itself."
Kael's jaw tightened. He surged forward, greatsword sparking with black lightning. Their blades met in a collision so violent the stones beneath them shattered. Sparks of crimson and void cascaded into the air.
The Commander pushed him back with raw force, its hollow eyes burning like twin suns of nothingness.
Aric launched himself from behind, twin blades striking at its spine—only to be caught in one sweeping parry that sent him crashing into the rubble.
Seliora's firestorm struck next, but the void blade cut through the flames, dispersing them as if they were mere smoke.
Darius roared, charging with his shield and slamming full-force into the Commander's side. The impact rocked the beast but didn't topple it. Instead, the Commander turned and smashed Darius across the chest with its gauntlet, sending him sprawling, coughing blood.
Kael gritted his teeth, crimson aura surging wildly. His companions were faltering—this wasn't just another foe.
This was war given form.
"Stand with me!" Kael roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We break him here—or he breaks everything!"
Lightning surged. Flames writhed. Steel shone.
The four of them moved as one, hurling themselves at the Commander in a storm of blade, fire, shield, and will.