The northern captain stepped through the iron-wrought gate of the garrison, his boots echoing ominously across the stone yard. Behind him marched over two dozen soldiers clad in dark armor lined with the remains of fallen Shadowkin—trophies of a brutal, merciless campaign. He immediately noted the missing guards, the silence, the lingering scent of fire.
His brows furrowed. "They're not here. This place… it's too quiet."
The soldiers moved cautiously, blades drawn. Tension thickened like smoke.
Then the captain raised his voice. "I know you're in here, whoever you are. Why do you attack my people? Show yourself and tell me what you want. I will not harm you."
From the shadows, Selena clenched her fists. Her voice was low and steady. "Stay ready," she whispered to her companions. "No sudden moves."
She stepped out into the open alone.
The captain blinked, surprised. "A woman?"
Selena's gaze didn't waver. "Release Ariwin."
The captain tilted his head, amusement flickering in his expression. "How does a lone woman take down an entire garrison of trained soldiers?"
"I have my secrets," she replied coolly.
The captain's brow twitched. "You knew about the Shadowkin girl. Even if you somehow knew of her… how did you beat us here? We came by ship."
Selena smirked. "Maybe I'm faster than you think."
Meanwhile, Luther quietly slipped to the right flank, his boots silent on the stone. Kael mirrored him on the left, fingers twitching with contained magic. Stormclaw crouched low behind crates, his molten fur beginning to glow faintly with restrained elemental fire.
Selena's voice rang out again, sharper this time. "Tell me why you're really here. Who sent you? Who commands you? Why are you taking the Shadowkin?"
The captain's smile cracked. "And what makes you think I'd answer you?"
A voice came from behind him—calm, confident. "Because a real leader would've seen the trap you walked into."
The captain spun around. Luther emerged from the haze, sword already drawn.
"You were so arrogant," Luther continued, "you didn't even realize you were surrounded."
The captain narrowed his eyes. "Surrounded? You mean a swordsman, two women, and a boy? I have thirty men standing behind me."
"Then you didn't see my friend," Kael said.
He pointed, and from the shadows emerged Stormclaw. The magical beast moved slowly, fire burning beneath his fur in glowing streams. The ground shuddered with each step.
Gasps rippled through the northern soldiers. One of them staggered back.
"They control a magical beast!" someone shouted.
The captain stared at Stormclaw, awe flickering in his eyes before being replaced with greed. "Interesting…" he muttered to himself.
Then he barked the command. "Attack! I want them alive!"