Zakari led his forces through the dense mist, their steps silent and deliberate as they approached the castle.
The towering stone structure loomed ahead, its broken turrets casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. Zakari signaled for the platoon to halt just outside the castle's perimeter, their energies concealed to avoid detection.
The soldiers spread out, finding cover among the dense vegetation and ruined outbuildings. Zakari's gaze swept over the castle's walls, noting the guard patrols and the dim glow of torches.
He knew they needed to be patient, to wait until the castle's occupants were at their most vulnerable.
The night was at its deepest, and sleep had taken hold.
The lieutenant, Dacien, a skilled mage with control over aetheric energy, stood at Zakari's side. Next to him was Aceria, a towering muscular man known for his strength and brute force. Together, they were tasked with breaching the castle's gates to give the platoon access to the interior.
Zakari checked his watch, counting down the minutes until the optimal time to strike.
The night was growing colder. The wind rustling through the overgrown vegetation.
The guards patrolled lazily along the castle walls, unaware of the forces gathering just beyond their sight.
Finally, Zakari gave the signal. Dacien and Aceria stepped forward, their hands glowing with energy as they began to conjure the aether blast.
Dacien's focus was intense, his fingers weaving intricate patterns as he concentrated on gathering the energy.
Aceria, with his sheer strength, provided the raw power needed to amplify the blast.
The aetheric energy swirled around them, forming a vortex of light and shadow.
Dacien's eyes glowed as he channeled the energy, directing it toward the castle's gates. Aceria's muscles tensed as he added his force, the ground beneath them vibrating with the growing intensity of the blast.
With a final burst of power, Dacien and Aceria released the aether blast, sending a massive beam of energy toward the castle gates.
The explosion was deafening, a burst of light and sound that echoed through the night.
The gates shattered, debris flying in all directions as the blast tore through the ancient stone.
The alarm bells began to ring, and the guards on the walls shouted in surprise and confusion.
Zakari's forces moved quickly, their weapons drawn and their aether energy concealed.
They rushed toward the breached gates.
The guards scrambled to respond, but the suddenness of the attack had caught them off guard.
Zakari led the charge, his sword glowing with aether energy as he pushed through the debris and into the castle courtyard.
The platoon spread out, securing the area and engaging with the guards, who had been roused by the blast.
The element of surprise was crucial, and Zakari's forces moved with precision, their training evident in their swift and coordinated actions.
The breach had been successful, and now the real battle would begin.
Zakari's forces were inside the castle, and they were determined to find and capture the otherworlder responsible for the chaos that had led them here.
The night was far from over, and the echoes of the explosion were a signal that the mission had begun in earnest.
____
RYAZANIA POV:
The sudden blast jolted me awake, a shockwave of energy bursting through the room and shattering the clinic's windows into a spray of glass.
The blast was so powerful that it seemed to shake the entire castle.
My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the surrounding chaos.
Mal, who had been resting in a nearby chair, was immediately on his feet, signaling the other healers to move. His voice boomed with authority over the din of alarms and breaking glass. "Evacuate now! Get armed, and rush the patients to the underground sector!" He grabbed a handheld communication device and tried initiating contact using dark energy transmission, but there was no response.
The rest of the staff quickly scrambled, guiding patients out of their beds and toward the emergency exit. The sound of clashing swords and bursts of magical energy echoed from outside, reverberating across the castle grounds. It was clear that the castle was under attack, and Mal was taking no chances.
I tried to lift myself from the bed, my muscles sore from the earlier duel, but the explosion had left me disoriented. Mal noticed my struggle and rushed to my side. "We need to move," he said, supporting me as I tried to stand. His grip was firm, yet gentle, guiding me through the chaos.
The once-calm clinic was in disarray, medical supplies strewn across the floor, and the other patients being escorted out in a hurry. Some were limping, others were on stretchers, but all were moving as quickly as possible toward the underground sector. The castle's safest area in times of emergency.
As Mal helped me toward the emergency exit, I could hear the battle intensifying outside. The clang of swords and the bursts of energy grew louder, echoing through the corridors. The ground seemed to tremble with each distant explosion.
Mal's expression was grim as he led me through the exit, the dimly lit hallway offering a brief respite from the chaos outside.
"We need to get to the underground sector," he said, his voice tense but calm. "It's the safest place for you and the other patients. Stay close to me, and don't fall behind."
I nodded, though my legs felt like they could give out at any moment. Mal kept a firm grip on my arm, helping me stay steady as we navigated the narrow corridor. The echoes of battle grew louder, each clash of swords and burst of energy a reminder of the danger we faced.
The other healers and staff were doing their best to keep everyone moving, but the tension was palpable. The battle outside was escalating, and Mal knew we needed to reach safety before the attackers breached deeper into the castle.
As we moved toward the underground sector, a sensation of fear swelled through me.
A marked glow appeared on my arm and pulsed faintly, its energy subdued but still present.
I had no idea what was happening outside or who was attacking the castle, but I knew I needed to stay with Mal and the others.
As we moved through the dimly lit corridor, the echoes of battle grew louder, a cacophony of clashing swords and bursts of magical energy reverberating throughout the castle.
Mal kept a firm grip on my arm, his strength the only thing keeping me steady as my legs threatened to buckle beneath me.
The corridor led to a steep staircase that descended into the underground sector. It was designed as a haven during emergencies, a reinforced structure meant to withstand attacks.
The staff moved quickly, guiding patients down the stairs and into the secure area below.
The further we descended, the colder the air became, a stark contrast to the chaos and heat of the battle above.
The tension was palpable...everyone was on edge, not knowing what awaited us.
I could feel a sensation of fear swelling within me.
Mal's calm presence helped to keep me focused.
As we reached the bottom of the staircase, the underground sector opened up into a large chamber, with rows of cots and makeshift medical stations set up for emergencies.
The healers began to settle the patients, ensuring they were safe and cared for.
Mal directed them with authority, his voice steady even amid the turmoil.
But as I looked around, I noticed something strange
The sigil on my arm, hidden beneath my sleeve, began to glow faintly.
It pulsed with a subdued energy, almost as if reacting to the events unfolding above.
I felt a sudden surge of anxiety....was this the same dark energy that had caused the earlier chaos? Would it surge again without warning?
Mal noticed my hesitation and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Stay calm," he said, his voice low but comforting. "You're safe down here. The underground sector is designed to protect us from attacks. Just stay close to me, and you'll be fine."
I nodded, trying to keep my fear in check. The attack on the castle had come without warning, and I had no idea who was responsible or why it had happened.
The sounds of battle continued above, muffled but still intense.
Mal directed his team to secure the exits and maintain a watch in case the attackers breached the underground sector. The other healers worked diligently, tending to the injured and providing comfort to those in shock.
As I sat on one of the cots, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening outside.
Who were these attackers, and what did they want?
All I knew was that I needed to stay with Mal and the others, at least until the battle was over.
The battle above was still raging, and I had a feeling that this attack was just the beginning.
The unknown loomed over us, casting a shadow that would be difficult to dispel.
_____
On the battlefield, chaos reigned as swords clashed, and dark energy crackled through the air. Zakari moved with ruthless efficiency, his blade slicing through the ranks of demonic soldiers with brutal precision.
Each strike dismembered his foes, their twisted bodies falling to the ground in pieces. His eyes blazed with a cold fury, the memory of his sister's death driving him forward.
Nearby, Dacien engaged in a sword-to-sword duel with a heavily armored soldier.
Their blades rang as they met, each strike sending sparks into the night air. Dacien's movements were sharp and aggressive, his mastery of aetheric energy evident in every swing.
He ducked beneath a powerful strike and countered with a quick thrust, driving his sword through his opponent's chest.
The soldier crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
The battle intensified as Ignias, the red-skinned commander, charged toward Zakari with his battle axe raised high.
The air around Ignias burned with dark energy, his presence like a living storm.
As he reached Zakari, the cloaked figure descended upon the battlefield, his long robes billowing as he landed with a force that sent shockwaves through the ground.
Ignias turned to Fein, his voice booming over the din of battle. "Go to the underground sector and protect the injured! We'll handle Zakari and his forces!"
Fein nodded and sprinted toward the castle, his agility allowing him to weave through the chaos with ease, but he was not alone. From the rooftops, a cloaked, invisible girl watched his movements, her eyes following his every step.
She decided to follow him, her presence undetectable as she moved stealthily across the rooftops.
Meanwhile, Ignias and Zakari clashed, their weapons meeting with a resounding crash.
Ignias's battle axe swung with brutal force, each strike aiming to cleave Zakari in half.
Zakari's blade moved with deadly grace, deflecting the powerful blows and countering with swift slashes.
The ground beneath them cracked from the intensity of their battle, each strike sending shockwaves through the air.
In another part of the battlefield, the cloaked figure faced off against the muscular man, Aceria, and Dacien.
The cloaked figure's dark energy swirled around him like a vortex, his movements fluid and unpredictable. Aceria, with his brute strength, charged at him with raw power, his fists crushing the earth beneath his feet. Dacien flanked from the side, his sword glowing with aetheric energy as he struck.
The cloaked figure moved with an uncanny speed, evading Aceria's powerful punches and parrying Dacien's sword strikes.
His cloak billowed as he spun, his dark energy surging with each movement. He was a formidable opponent, and both Aceria and Dacien knew they were facing a skilled warrior with deep knowledge of dark magic.
Avar moved through the battlefield like a whirlwind, his massive fists crushing any who dared stand in his way. Zakari's soldiers fought him head-on, their weapons cutting through the air with precision, but Avar's strength was overwhelming. With a single punch, he sent one soldier flying, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud. A second punch crumpled another opponent's armor, the sound of metal bending under Avar's sheer power.
His ferocity littered the surrounding battlefield with the fallen.
As he turned to face his next opponent, a voice called out from the chaos. "Demon, I have come for your head, as you have slain my comrades." Avar's gaze snapped to the source of the voice, his eyes narrowing at the sight of a woman with golden hair holding a rapier. Her stance was confident, and her eyes blazed with righteous fury.
"Comrades?" Avar said, a cruel smirk spreading across his lips. "Then I will make sure you join them." He lunged at her, his massive fists ready to strike, but she was quick, dodging his attack with a graceful sidestep. Her rapier flashed through the air, aiming for Avar's exposed flesh, but his thick hide deflected the blow.
The battle between them was intense, each move calculated and deadly. Avar's strength was unmatched, his punches capable of shattering stone, but the woman with the rapier was agile, using her speed and precision to her advantage.
She weaved through his attacks, her rapier slashing at his arms and legs, each strike creating sparks as it hit his tough skin.
Their battle carried them across the battlefield, and as they fought, they neared one of the castle's crumbling walls. Avar's punches were so powerful that they began to break chunks from the ancient stone, sending debris raining down.
The woman used this to her advantage, her strikes causing even more damage to the structure. As they clashed, a large section of the wall collapsed, crushing several demonic soldiers and demonic people below.
Zakari's forces took advantage of the chaos, pressing their attack on the remaining demonic forces. The falling debris and intense battle disoriented the demonic soldiers, allowing Zakari's forces to quickly eliminate them.
Zakari's forces moved through the battlefield with ruthless efficiency, leaving no demonic soldier alive.
Meanwhile, Zakari himself faced off against Ignias, the red-skinned commander. Their battle was fierce, each strike sending shockwaves through the ground.
Zakari's precision and skill eventually rendered Ignias to the ground, his battle axe falling from his grasp. Zakari stood over him, ready to deliver the final blow, but he was suddenly thrown back by a powerful punch that sent him crashing into a nearby wall.
The cloaked figure stood over Ignias, his robe now discarded to reveal a muscular form brimming with dark energy. His presence was imposing, his strength undeniable.
Zakari staggered to his feet, his body aching from the impact of the cloaked figure's punch.
The rubble from the crumbled wall fell around him, dust clouding the air. His eyes blazed with fury as he stared at the cloaked figure, who stood calmly amidst the chaos. "What have you done to the ones I sent you?" Zakari shouted, his voice echoing through the broken castle.
The cloaked figure's face remained hidden beneath his hood, but his voice was cold and mocking. "I quickly sent them to sleep," he replied, gesturing with a casual wave of his hand toward the fallen soldiers.
Dacien, Aceria, and the muscular man lay on the ground, their bodies motionless, their blood pooling beneath them.
Zakari's rage boiled over at the sight of his comrades' lifeless forms.
The battle had taken a deadly turn, and the cloaked figure had made his intentions clear.
Zakari's grip on his sword tightened, his aether energy swirling around him as he prepared to strike back. "You are next," he growled, his voice a mix of anger and grief.
Without hesitation, Zakari lunged at the cloaked figure, his sword aimed at the figure's chest.
The dark energy surged as he attacked, his anger fueling his strength.
The cloaked figure didn't flinch; instead, he moved with an almost lazy grace, sidestepping Zakari's attack and letting the sword slash harmlessly through the air.
The cloaked figure's response was swift and brutal.
He delivered a backhanded strike that sent Zakari flying across the battlefield, the force of the blow reverberating through the ground. Zakari crashed into a nearby wall, the stone cracking beneath the impact. He struggled to get back up, his body bruised and battered, but his rage was unrelenting.
"You can't defeat me," the cloaked figure said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Your rage blinds you. It makes you weak, just like your comrades." He stepped forward, each stride deliberate, his dark energy pulsing with malevolent intensity. "You will join them soon enough."
Zakari gritted his teeth, refusing to give in to the pain.
He knew he had to keep fighting, not just for himself, but for Dacien, Aceria, and the muscular man who had given everything in this battle, with a surge of energy, he forced himself to stand, his sword glowing with dark energy as he prepared for another attack.
The cloaked figure watched, amusement in his hidden eyes. "Come then," he said, raising his hand to summon a surge of dark energy. "Let's see if you have what it takes to avenge them."
Zakari lunged at the cloaked figure with a burst of energy, his sword slicing through the air.
The cloaked figure moved with deceptive ease, dodging the attack and countering with a swift punch to Zakari's stomach. The blow sent a shockwave through his body, nearly knocking him off his feet. Zakari grunted in pain but held his ground, his anger pushing him forward.
The cloaked figure pressed the attack, his punches fast and brutal.
He struck at Zakari's sword, breaking it with a powerful blow that sent shards of metal flying. Zakari was undeterred; he dropped the broken blade and launched himself at the cloaked figure with his fists, his movements fueled by rage and determination.
Their fight intensified, each punch landing with the force of a cannon.
Zakari's fists were a blur, his strikes driven by his fury at seeing his comrades fall.
The cloaked figure dodged and blocked, but Zakari's relentlessness was overwhelming.
Zakari landed a solid punch to the cloaked figure's jaw, the impact reverberating across the battlefield. The cloaked figure stumbled back, surprised by the force of Zakari's attack.
The cloaked figure retaliated, his dark energy flaring as he unleashed a series of powerful strikes.
Zakari countered with a burst of energy from his palms, the shockwaves pushing back against the cloaked figure's onslaught.
The ground shook beneath them as they fought, each blow sending tremors through the castle.
Meanwhile, Ignias, who had been knocked down by Zakari earlier, regained his composure.
He surveyed the battlefield, noticing that the demonic soldiers were falling rapidly.
The cloaked figure was occupied with Zakari, but Ignias knew the battle wasn't over.
He sensed the faint energy signature of the otherworlder and teleported, tracking Fein's energy. He knew that finding the otherworlder was crucial, especially with the battle at its peak.
Avar, the demon with the brute strength, was locked in combat with the golden-haired woman wielding a rapier.
Their fight was fierce, each of her strikes aimed to incapacitate or kill.
Avar's brute strength was a formidable challenge, but the woman fought with agility and precision, her rapier dancing around his massive fists.
She used his strength against him, guiding his powerful swings into the crumbling walls, causing debris to rain down.
Back at the center of the battlefield, Zakari and the cloaked figure's fight had reached a new level of intensity.
Zakari's punches were powerful, fueled by his rage and his need for justice, but the cloaked figure was cunning, his dark energy flowing like a living shadow.
Each exchange of blows was fierce, with neither side willing to back down.
Ignias appeared in front of the otherworlder and Mal, his form battered from the battle raging above, his body bore multiple wounds, and he staggered as he entered the underground sector.
The air was thick with tension; the battle above had thrown everything into chaos, and now, Ignias's sudden arrival made it clear that the fight had reached a critical point.
Mal, though injured, moved quickly to assess Ignias's condition. He was an experienced healer, and his focus was on stabilizing Ignias before his wounds grew too severe.
Fein entered the room, his eyes widening with shock at the sight of his wounded master.
The dark energy around Fein began to swell, his anger palpable as he saw Ignias in such a state.
"Idiot, you'll make us seen!" Mal shouted at him, his voice cutting through Fein's rage. The underground sector was supposed to be a haven, and any burst of uncontrolled dark energy could attract unwanted attention. Fein clenched his fists, his muscles tensing, but he listened to Mal's command and forced himself to calm down.
Mal quickly directed Fein to gather healing elixirs and bandages. Fein, his expression grim, rushed to a nearby storage cabinet to retrieve the supplies.
The otherworlder, confused by the chaos, watched as Mal worked swiftly to stop Ignias's bleeding and stabilize his injuries.
As Fein gathered the healing elixirs and bandages, the invisible girl watched through a partially open door.
She was concealed by her cloak, her presence undetectable as she observed the scene unfolding within the underground sector. She sent a message, a pinpoint signal that would alert others to her location.
Mal sensed the faint energy signature of the invisible girl. His instincts were sharp, and he raised his hand, channeling dark energy into his palm.
Without warning, he shot a beam of dark energy through the door, the blast hitting the girl directly in the heart.
The force of the attack sent her reeling, her cloak slipping from her body as she fell to the ground lifeless.
Fein returned with the healing elixirs and bandages, unaware of what had just transpired outside. Mal's expression was serious as he worked to treat Ignias's wounds.
The underground sector had been compromised, and the presence of the invisible girl meant that they could no longer consider it a safe place to hide.
"Fein, we need to move quickly," Mal said, his voice urgent but controlled. "The battle above is escalating, and we're not safe here. Help me get Ignias stable, and then we need to evacuate."
Fein nodded, his anger giving way to focus. He handed Mal the healing elixirs and bandages, his eyes darting nervously around the room. The death of the invisible girl had shattered the sense of security they had in the underground sector. The battle above was raging, and now it seemed the conflict was creeping ever closer to them.
Mal continued to work on Ignias, his hands moving with precision as he administered the healing elixirs and wrapped the bandages around the most severe wounds.
___
Zakari's rage fueled his surge of power, each strike against the cloaked figure growing in intensity.
The energy that had overwhelmed him earlier now coursed through his body with a newfound focus, allowing him to channel it into devastating attacks.
The cloaked figure, once confident and unshakable, found himself on the defensive, struggling to keep up with Zakari's ferocity.
The cloaked figure's eyes narrowed as he realized the battle was slipping from his control.
His forces had been decimated, and Zakari's relentless assault was pushing him back across the battlefield. He muttered a spell under his breath.
The woman who was battling Avar used her agility and precision to counter his brute strength.
She deftly avoided his crushing blows, using his momentum against him.
Avar's strength was immense, but his lack of finesse was his weakness.
The woman exploited this, delivering a series of precise strikes that eventually rendered him unconscious
Back on the battlefield, Zakari felt the surge of aetheric energy course through his body.
He knew the cloaked figure was attempting to do something, and he couldn't allow it.
He focused his energy into his fists, feeling the raw power building with each passing second. The cloaked figure, aware of Zakari's intentions, tried to shield himself with dark energy, but it was too late.
Zakari launched himself at the cloaked figure, his fist glowing with intense aetheric energy.
The impact was explosive, a shockwave that shattered the ground beneath them.
The cloaked figure's dark energy barrier crumbled as Zakari's punch blew apart a significant portion of his arm and shoulder, sending him crashing across the castle courtyard.
The cloaked figure skidded across the stone, his cloak torn and his body severely wounded. He struggled to stand, his mind racing as he tried to contain the damage.
Zakari's onslaught had thrown everything into disarray.
The cloaked figure knew he had to act quickly if he wanted to escape with his life.
Zakari, undeterred by the cloaked figure's desperate attempts to shield himself, strode across the battlefield, his eyes locked on his injured foe.
The demonic soldiers had fallen, and the castle was in ruins.
The victory was within reach, but Zakari knew that allowing the cloaked figure to escape could lead to greater threats down the line.
A portal began to open. The winged mask woman appeared at the cloaked figure's side.
Zakari lunged forward, his fist raised for another powerful strike, but the portal's energy enveloped the cloaked figure and the winged mask woman, pulling them into its swirling vortex. In a burst of light, they vanished, leaving behind only the remnants of the battle and the ruins of the castle.
Zakari stood in the aftermath, his body pulsing with energy, his mind racing with thoughts of the battle and the lives lost.
The victory was bittersweet; they had defeated the demonic forces, but the cloaked figure had escaped. Zakari knew that this was not the end, but merely a turning point in a larger conflict.
The woman who defeated Avar cast a restraining spell, her movements swift and deliberate.
The spell formed glowing runes that bound Avar's unconscious form, ensuring he couldn't cause more harm when he regained consciousness.
The battlefield was in disarray, but Zakari wasted no time.
He conjured an aether bubble, its shimmering surface encapsulating his injured comrades: Dacien, Aceria, and the muscular man.
The aetheric energy stabilized their condition..
Zakari raised his voice, calling out to the woman with the golden hair and rapier. "Luma, heal these men!" His voice cut through the noise, authoritative and clear. Luma, her rapier sheathed, heard him and dashed toward Zakari.
She moved with the grace of a trained warrior, her eyes focused on the injured men inside the aether bubble.
The remaining soldiers on the battlefield began to cheer, their morale bolstered by the victory over the demonic forces. Zakari raised his hand, silencing them. "Mull down any remaining soldiers," he ordered. "Find the otherworlder. Leave no stone unturned."
The soldiers nodded and spread out, their weapons at the ready as they swept through the castle grounds. The battle had been hard-fought, but Zakari knew the war was far from over. The cloaked figure's escape meant that the threat was still present, and the otherworlder needed to be captured.
As Luma reached Zakari, she began working on healing Dacien, Aceria, and the muscular man. Her magic was swift and efficient, each gesture closing wounds and restoring vitality.
Zakari watched her work, his expression stern yet grateful. He knew that every moment counted; the battle had left many injured, and they needed to regroup quickly.
A green-haired girl with glasses approached Zakari, her voice urgent. "Sir Zakari, we got a pinpoint. What are your orders?"
Zakari's eyes narrowed, his focus sharpening. "Go," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "Find the otherworlder and bring them to me alive, No harm is to come to them. I want answers."
The green-haired girl nodded and hurried off, leading a team of soldiers toward the pinpoint location.
Zakari knew they had little time; the otherworlder had been a central figure in the chaos that engulfed the Swordheart region, and capturing them was crucial to understanding the larger threat they faced.
As the soldiers moved out, Zakari stood amidst the rubble and bodies, his gaze scanning the battlefield.
The victory had come at a great cost, and the aftermath was a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict. But Zakari's resolve was unshaken. He would find the otherworlder and bring them to justice, no matter what it took.
In the dimly lit underground chamber, Ignias sat on the makeshift medical bed, his wounds being treated by Mal.
Fein paced, his eyes darting between Ignias and the otherworlder, who was quietly observing the scene.
The air was thick with tension, the muffled sounds of battle above serving as a constant reminder of the ongoing chaos.
Mal was focused on stabilizing Ignias, but he suddenly paused, his senses alert.
He could feel aetheric energy looming closer, a sign that Zakari's forces were approaching. Ignias, recognizing the danger, offered a solution. "I can send you all away," he said, his voice strained from the pain. "I can teleport you to a faraway place, where they'll never find you."
Mal shook his head, refusing the offer. "No, Ignias. We can't just run away," he replied, his voice firm. "We have patients to protect, and you need treatment."
The otherworlder, recognizing the opportunity to escape, interjected. "I'll go," they said, their tone calm but decisive. "If we stay, we're good as dead."
Fein agreed, looking at the situation. "It would be best to leave," he said, his eyes filled with concern. "But what about you, Ignias?"
Ignias nodded grimly. "I won't be able to join you," he replied. "I can only transport three people at once, and I barely have enough energy for that, you need to go, now."
Fein was displeased by the idea of leaving his mentor behind, but Mal and Ignias both sensed the encroaching energy of enemy soldiers.
The urgency was clear, and there was no time to argue. "Do it, Ignias," Mal said, his voice full of resignation. "Teleport them away."
Ignias nodded and raised his hand, channeling the remaining energy he had. Fein, the otherworlder, and Mal stepped closer, preparing for the teleportation.
As the energy swirled around them, Fein shot Ignias a look of concern, but there was no turning back.
In a burst of light, they vanished, leaving Ignias and the people in the chamber.
The soldiers burst through the door, their weapons drawn, with Zakari at their helm.
The room was a scene of destruction, with the medical equipment in disarray and the makeshift beds upturned. Zakari's eyes swept over the wounded and the remaining healers, his expression cold and unforgiving.
"I will spare them," he said, his voice like ice. "If you tell me where the otherworlder is, red skin."
Ignias, still weakened from his injuries, raised his head and looked in Zakari's blade "I don't know," he replied, his voice defiant despite his condition.
Zakari's eyes narrowed, and without hesitation, he beheaded Ignias, his blade cutting through with a swift and brutal strike.
Ignias's head rolled to the floor, the soldiers watching in stunned silence.
Zakari's expression was devoid of mercy.
"Kill the remaining demons within the room," Zakari ordered, his voice cold and unyielding.
The soldiers moved quickly, carrying out his command with ruthless efficiency.
The underground sector, once a place of refuge, had become a grim scene of bloodshed. Zakari's quest for the otherworlder was relentless, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.