The wind howled across the valley as two forces gathered their final strength.
Kael Draven stood at the center of the battlefield like a living storm. Crimson energy surged around him in violent waves, cracking the ground beneath his feet. His armor was damaged now, streaked with blood from Lucien's blade and Alaric's strike, but the wounds only seemed to fuel him.
Across from him stood Aurelia.
Golden light moved beneath the earth like a heartbeat, spreading through the valley in glowing veins. Wolves on every side could feel it now an invisible current binding them together.
Hope.
Strength.
Protection.
But Aurelia herself looked pale.
Lucien noticed first.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"You're burning through too much power."
"I know," Aurelia whispered.
Her hands trembled slightly.
The land was answering her call, but it wasn't free.
Every pulse of that golden energy came from her.
