For one breath, the battlefield held still.
Shock flickered across Vorak’s face, and he blinked down at the burning wound.
Then he laughed, the sound sending a chill through her.
The wound sealed itself closed and he surged into the air and blazing scarlet light erupted from him, rending the atmosphere.
A rain of fire fell over the battlefield, detonating over their army. Screams rang. Alora dove, launching out her magic to shield them. Lady Zinnia and Sorceress Solara did the same, casting a golden shield over the hills until the onslaught stopped.
Vorak’s body convulsed, collapsing inward before exploding outward in a surge of shadow and black gale. Limbs stretched and distorted, form unraveling into something vast and monstrous, a living tempest of claw, lightning, and void. All scattered back, running out of the way as his titanic form took over the land.
Rune snatched her to the top of the Hydell Hills as they watched the maelstrom take form, whipping the wind with ash and rain.
The Realm screamed beneath the transformation as the Devourer returned to what he truly was.
The end given shape.
Rune’s shadows rose high in answer andignited.His body burned like black flame, darkness weaving through with crimson fire as he flew down to meet him. His body stretched, his presence towering, the weight of him pressing down on the world like a second nightfall as his dragon form emerged and stretched over the expanse of the kingdom.
The dragon’s roar shook the cliffs.
And the mountain shuddered beneath the weight of its power, stone groaning as the air itself split.
He turned once to Alora, his crimson eyes searing.Stay back, Alora,his voice resounded through her mind, equal parts command and plea.This battle is mine to fight.
His wings sliced through the clouds like blades, molten shadows trailing from each stroke of his massive form as he flew toward Vorak.
Shadow and crimson light collided, ripping the sky apart.
The storm had broken.
Then they were gone, too fast for the eye to follow. They were streaks of red and black against the backdrop of the Blood Moon, their shapes striking and parting, roars ringing across the Heavens.
Alora’s heart pounded with every exchange, each impact clashing in her chest.
The battle rose higher until they vanished behind the thick clouds. Only a blur of a dragon and crimson light flashed with every flash of lightning and stream of fire.
The mountain groaned beneath them. The clouds churned with flames and shadow in a tempest so violent it tore trees from their roots and sent rivers boiling into steam.
Alora was forced to look away when snarls and keening calls carried over the Hydell Hills. Another wave of the Wild Hunt streamed toward them.
The Harbingers lined up beside her, weapons ready. Shadows shifted at her feet, twisting around her, falling to her command.
Rune had his battle to face.
This one was hers.
Cape snapping in the wind, Alora raised her glaive and shouted. “Ver nocthra vi’ignis vo’karr!”
The demons echoed the chant, their voices risingin a thunderous roar. The sound reverberated through her being.
This was her world.
Through fire and shadow, she claimed it.
Then the Court of Sin and Ruin rushed after her as she charged to meet that deadly force.
Glaive blazed, Alora hurled herself into the squall.
