Snow fell hard across the Border Highlands. The mountains rose like jagged black teeth against the storm-filled sky while freezing wind screamed endlessly through pine forests and broken cliffs. Ancient stone roads cut through the white wilderness toward scattered settlements barely surviving the brutal cold. Kaelen moved through the storm in silence. The reinforced mana-crate carrying Elara remained secured across his back while Void-Flow circulated steadily through his muscles, keeping the freezing temperatures from slowing him down. His boots barely touched the snow anymore. Each movement flowed unnaturally fast and smooth now. The silver mana-breadcrumbs still lingered faintly ahead. Lyra’s trail. But the farther west Kaelen traveled the more disturbed the mana became. Something happened ahead. Kaelen stopped atop a frozen ridge overlooking the valley below. Then his exposed black eye narrowed sharply. Dark smoke rose from a village nestled between snow-covered cliff

The battlefield had barely begun to breathe again. The remains of the first Void-Eater drifted across the snow as black ash while terrified villagers slowly emerged from hiding. Soldiers staggered through the wreckage helping the wounded. Burning buildings crackled beneath the storm. For the first time in a few hours, hope had returned. The monster was dead. The village was saved. Or so everyone thought. Marcus Vale sat in the snow, struggling to remain conscious. Blood continued dripping from the corner of his mouth while his damaged mana channels screamed in agony. His Iron Bear familiar had finally dissolved completely, leaving behind only fading motes of light. Across from him stood the masked figure who had fallen from the blackened sky like death itself. Kaelen crouched beside him. "Can you stand?" Marcus attempted a laugh. "Depends." His voice came out rough. "Do I have to?" Kaelen ignored the joke. "You're losing blood." The General winced as he shifted.

The giant Void-Eater staggered backward across the snow-covered valley, its body riddled with ruptured Mana-Vents. Brilliant streams of energy poured from hundreds of wounds across its monstrous form, painting the storm-dark sky with rivers of amber light. It looked less like a beast now. And more like a dying star. Kaelen stood motionless on the shattered ridge overlooking the battlefield. Snow swirled around him. His mask hid most of his face. The giant creature released one final roar as another Mana-Vent ruptured. And another. And another. The creature's enormous body began collapsing inward. Its strength wasn't disappearing because Kaelen was destroying it. Its strength was disappearing because Kaelen had allowed it to destroy itself. Every punctured vent had weakened the pressure holding its stolen energy together. Every precise strike had transformed overwhelming power into fatal instability. The giant Void-Eater took one final step. Its leg collapsed. The moun

Kaelen stood motionless in the middle of the square. Snow drifted around him. The obsidian coin rested in his palm. Its smooth black surface reflected the sunlight breaking through the clouds above. The symbol of the Gate stared back at him. Mocking him. Reminding him. Every second that they took her. His fingers slowly closed. The edges of the coin dug into his skin. The obsidian cracked faintly beneath the pressure. A sharp edge sliced into his palm. Blood should have emerged. Instead black fluid seeped from the wound. It slid across the coin like liquid shadow. The sight would have horrified him but now he barely noticed. His heart felt hollow. The same emptiness that existed in the deepest parts of the dungeon. The same emptiness Erebos carried inside itself. A cold wind swept through the village. The shadows lengthened. Nobody approached him. The villagers who moments ago wanted to celebrate now watched from a distance. Fear lingered in their eyes. Not because of what Kaele

Night fell over the Highland Village. Lanterns glowed softly behind repaired windows. Smoke drifted lazily from chimneys. Kaelen, who fought for survival of this village was disappearing. A faint crunch of snow sounded behind him. He didn't turn. He already knew who it was. Lyra. She approached cautiously. The silver-haired seer looked exhausted. Dark circles lingered beneath her eyes. She had barely slept since Elara's disappearance. Guilt had become her constant companion. She stopped several feet away. For several moments neither spoke. The mountain wind filled the silence. Finally, Lyra gathered her courage. "You were going to leave without saying goodbye." Kaelen's eyes remained fixed on the village below. "Yes." Lyra swallowed "Kaelen..." His shoulders remained still. "I can help." "No, I don't need your help." The answer came instantly. Lyra took another step forward. "We can still find her." "We?" The word echoed strangely. Kaelen finally turned. The black eye v