Inside the massive tower, an uneasy hush settled over the chamber.
Dust motes floated in the still air, illuminated by the dim shaft of torchlight.
Every pair of lungs seemed to pause together, as if held by the weight of what had just transpired.
Chief Varros leaned heavily on his blade, breathing in slow, controlled lines, while Calien, Erik, and their two attendants stood nearby, blades dripping with ichor yet trembling with adrenaline.
The creature's corpse lay broken, a testament to their brutal, desperate heroism.
Varros finally broke the silence, his voice deep and resonant. "That... was beyond remarkable. Each of you fought with courage I've seldom seen, even among experienced knights."
His gaze moved from Calien's determined stance to Erik's steady presence, then to the two attendants. "Not as commanding in years as tonight's fight. You all held your ground against a monstrosity most adult knights would falter before—and emerged victorious."
