Fate of the Marked

Heroes of the Realm

The battlefield fell into an eerie stillness. The air, once filled with roars of battle and death, grew calm. All that remained of Astoroth's monstrous army was ash swirling gently in the wind, carried away like a bad dream finally fading with the dawn.

The harsh light of the midday sun shone down on scorched earth and shattered weapons. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was only... silence.

I leaned on my staff, still catching my breath. My arms ached, my body screamed for rest, but my heart—my heart soared with relief. It was over. Truly, finally, over.

Nearby, Roderick slapped Kael on the back so hard he nearly stumbled. "By the gods, kid! You really punched Astoroth's hammers to dust!"

Kael grinned, wiping blood and soot from his face. "What can I say? I'm built different."

Rowan chuckled, tugging off his cracked gauntlet. "That was some entrance. Falling from the sky like a bloody comet. You almost took me out, you reckless pup."

Kael shrugged, flashing that cocky smirk. "Hey, aim for the biggest threat first, right?" He flexed his scorched knuckles, still sparking faintly with residual Chi energy.

Sir Cedric approached, armor dented and bloodied but head held high. He extended a hand toward Kael. "You fought like a warrior. You earned your place in every tale they'll sing about this day."

Kael clasped Cedric's hand, beaming. "I am pretty legendary, huh?"

Roderick wiped blood from his cracked shield and glanced at Kael, still standing tall despite the smoldering battlefield. He raised an eyebrow and turned to me.

"Alright...where in the blazing hells did you find this kid?"

Before I could answer, Rowan smirked, tossing aside his shattered gauntlet. "I saw him punch a dragon out of the sky once." He shrugged, voice thick with dry amusement. "Thought that was the wildest thing I'd ever see." He nodded toward Astoroth's scattered remains. "Guess I was wrong."

Kael grinned, brushing soot from his burned cloak. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."

Roderick let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Kid, you just punched the last demon on earth to death. You sure you're even human?"

Kael flexed his still-sparking knuckles with a cocky smirk. "Human? I'm something better."

Rowan chuckled and patted Kael's shoulder with rough affection. "Don't let it go to your head, comet boy."

"Too late." Kael winked. "You're all welcome, by the way."

Despite myself, I couldn't help but laugh—deep, exhausted, and full of relief. For the first time, the weight of the world felt... lighter.

Sihir descended gracefully, her feet barely touching the scorched earth. She twirled her staff with practiced elegance, fixing us with that familiar, infuriating smirk.

"Well," she drawled, her voice laced with mock sweetness. "I'm the one who killed Astoroth. Where's my praise?"

Rowan and Roderick exchanged a glance, saying nothing—but their raised eyebrows spoke volumes.

Kael, of course, couldn't resist. He crossed his arms, lightning still crackling faintly around his fists. "Oh, you killed him? Must've missed that while I was busy shattering his war-hammers and breaking every bone in his giant demon body."

Sihir's eyes narrowed, her smile widening in a predatory way. "Breaking bones is cute, comet boy. Erasing him from existence? That's what real power looks like."