The tower's summit cracked open, spilling Reid and the Red Fang back into the burning night. The city sprawled below in chaos—streets torn apart by the relic surge, buildings crumbling under waves of unstable magic. Chains hung slack from rooftops, twitching faintly as if they hadn't decided whether to die or strike again.
Kaela coughed through the smoke, pulling Reid to his feet. "The city's falling apart. We need to move."
Reid steadied himself, his veins glowing faintly with blue and black fire. Civilians ran screaming through the streets, while fragments of chain constructs stalked the alleys like wounded predators. The air was heavy with fear.
Lira whistled, blades resting against her shoulders. "Looks like we broke more than just the tower."
Mara scanned the horizon, bow drawn. "The council won't waste time. They'll be here soon."
The Bond stirred weakly in Reid's head, its tone bitter. "You've unleashed chaos, host. The city bleeds because of you."
Reid's voice was calm, almost cold. "Then we'll control the bleeding."
They descended into the streets where panicked civilians clashed with opportunists. Fires burned unchecked, and minor chain creatures emerged from collapsed glyphs, attacking anything that moved. Red Fang warriors rushed to contain the chaos, splitting into squads to protect civilians and secure territory.
Kaela barked orders, her leadership steady amid the panic. "Hold the line! Get the wounded inside! Keep the streets clear!"
One warrior glanced at Reid nervously before saluting. Fear lingered in their eyes despite his help. Whispers spread through the Red Fang ranks—rumors of what he did in the tower.
Lira leaned close, smirking. "They're scared of you now. Kinda hot, don't you think?"
Kaela shot her a glare. "Not the time."
Reid ignored them, focusing on the growing noise ahead. Screams cut through the night.
Shadows moved along the walls—faster than human. Before anyone could react, masked figures leapt from the rooftops, blades coated in glowing glyphs. Council assassins. They struck with precision, targeting Reid directly.
Mara's arrow intercepted the first attacker mid-air. "Assassins! Take cover!"
Chains from the broken streets whipped out unexpectedly, grabbing one assassin and tearing them apart. The chaos turned the fight into a maze of moving hazards. Reid swung Veil Rend, slicing through two attackers as the relic flames surged, burning brighter.
The Bond hissed. "Careful, host. Use too much, and you'll burn with them."
Lira danced between strikes, laughing as she cut down another. "These guys are persistent!"
Kaela fought at Reid's side, her spear piercing an assassin's chest. "Stay sharp! They're trying to box you in!"
The last assassin lunged from the shadows, aiming for Reid's throat. Reid caught the blade with his hand, the corruption flaring as the weapon melted in his grip. His counterstrike shattered the assassin's mask and sent them crumpling to the ground.
The survivors scattered into the night.
System prompt:
[Threat Neutralized – Council Strike Team Repelled]
[Bond Stability: Fluctuating]
The Red Fang regrouped, the city still burning around them. Warriors looked to Reid with a mixture of awe and fear. Kaela stepped beside him, her voice low. "They'll keep coming. You know that, right?"
Reid's gaze swept across the ruined streets. "Then we'll be ready."
Lira wiped blood from her blade, flashing a grin. "So what's the plan, boss?"
Reid turned toward the distant glow of the council's stronghold. "We take this city. Then we take them."
The Bond chuckled weakly, its voice almost approving. "You're finally thinking like us."
Mara looked uneasy but said nothing. The Red Fang rallied behind Reid, their cheers echoing through the broken streets.
The night deepened, but the city did not sleep. Fires continued to rage, and the cries of civilians mixed with the clash of steel. Red Fang squads fought scattered battles across districts, trying to hold back the chaos.
Kaela ordered reinforcements to the south district, where chain creatures were multiplying. "Hold your ground! Don't let them regroup!" Her voice cut through the din, rallying the warriors.
Reid stalked ahead of the group, the blue-black glow of his veins casting a faint light on the broken streets. The citizens parted in fear as he passed, whispers following in his wake. Some called him savior, others a monster.
Lira hopped down from a ledge to walk beside him, smirking. "You hear them? Half worshipping you, half terrified. You really know how to make an impression."
Mara shot her a glare. "Stop encouraging it."
The Bond spoke with a sardonic edge. "They fear because they know who holds the chain now. Good."
The relic surge continued to warp parts of the city. Sections of road lifted, twisting like a spine, while stray glyphs floated midair, sparking with energy. Reid felt the pull of the magic; it called to him as if it recognized him as its master.
Kaela caught him staring at the distortions. "Reid, stay with me. That magic isn't stable."
Reid nodded but didn't look away. "I can feel it. It wants to be controlled."
Lira leaned close, whispering just loud enough for Kaela to hear. "You sure it's not controlling you?"
Kaela scowled at her, but said nothing.
A scout ran up, panting. "Council forces are regrouping in the east! They're gathering chained beasts to push back!"
Reid's eyes narrowed. "Then we move first."
Mara spoke cautiously. "We can't hold every street. Choose where to hit."
The Bond's whisper was almost eager. "Strike their heart. Leave the scraps for later."
Reid considered the map quickly. "We hit the eastern plaza. If we break their hold there, the rest falls apart."
Kaela nodded firmly. "Understood. Let's move."
The eastern plaza was a warzone. Council soldiers fought desperately to contain the chain creatures, while massive beasts covered in writhing chains tore through anyone in their path. The air smelled of burning metal and ozone.
Reid led the charge, Veil Rend blazing. The relic flames reacted to the chaos, spiraling outwards as he cut down the first beast. Every strike sent shockwaves through the ground.
Kaela and Lira fought in perfect rhythm, cutting down soldiers who tried to flank him. Mara's arrows rained from above, striking at the weak points of the beasts' chain bindings.
One creature turned its glowing eyes on Reid, lunging with chains snapping like whips. He caught the strike, twisting the chain around his arm and yanking the beast off balance. The Bond's voice surged with excitement. "Yes! Break it!"
Reid drove his blade into the creature's core, releasing a wave of blue fire that incinerated it. The explosion sent soldiers fleeing.
System prompt:
[Objective Complete – Eastern Plaza Secured]
[Optional Objective: Influence Over Chain Beasts Gained]
The surviving Red Fang rallied, their cheers echoing through the square.
As the plaza quieted, a cloaked figure stepped from the shadows. No weapon, no fear—only a faint smile. "You've made quite the mess, Reid."
Kaela stepped in front, spear ready. "Who are you?"
The figure's voice was smooth. "A messenger. My master wishes to speak with the one who broke the heart."
The Bond hissed in warning. "Do not trust this one."
Reid raised his blade slightly. "Then your master can come here and talk."
The messenger chuckled. "Oh, they will—when you're ready to listen. Until then, consider this an invitation." They tossed a black-marked coin at Reid's feet before vanishing into the smoke.
Lira crouched to pick up the coin, twirling it between her fingers. "Mysterious. I like it."
Mara frowned. "Feels like a trap."
Reid stared at the coin, feeling the ancient energy humming inside it. "Good. Then we'll walk right into it."