Chapter 97: A ruthless decision
Kaelen’s gaze swept over the battered team, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
"Everyone, fall back, reinforcements are inbound."
They had done what they could. The wounded were stabilized, their bleeding stopped, their pain dulled, but none were in any condition to keep fighting. Not against that thing.
The casters in charge of teleportation moved swiftly, their hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as they carved a massive spell circle into the scorched earth. The runes pulsed with arcane energy, humming like a gathering storm. One by one, the rogues stepped inside, their faces etched with exhaustion and relief.
Alira stood at the edge, her fists clenched, her eyes burning with defiance. She wasn’t ready to leave. Not while Derek was still out there without anyone to help him.
Suddenly THUD.
Kaelen’s hand struck like a viper, a precise blow to the back of her neck. Her eyes widened, just for a split second, before they fluttered shut, her body slumping forward. He caught her before she hit the ground, his expression unreadable.
Then, in a flicker of motion, he <blinked> vanishing from the teleportation array just as the spell flared to life.
Light erupted, blinding and brilliant. The air cracked.
And just like that they were gone.
Kaelen stood alone in the ruined forest, the weight of his choice settling over him like a shroud. Without hesitation, he broke into a sprint, his boots pounding against the earth as he raced toward the heart of the devastation, toward where Derek was fighting the monster.
His fingers brushed the comm crystal at his throat, his voice low, ironclad.