Three days later, the gates of Vel'Tharan came into view.
The capital was once called the Crown of the East, famed for its cascading towers, floating gardens, and mirrored canals that shimmered like liquid starlight. But now—
Smoke billowed from the outer districts.
Flames licked the edges of the southern wall.
And screams echoed even before the gates were visible.
Serenya's eyes widened. "The city's under attack."
Lucien scowled, already checking his throwing knives. "Either Rael's idea of diplomacy involves fire... or someone beat him to the punch."
"No," Haruto said, narrowing his gaze. "This isn't conquest. It's chaos. Look."
A winged creature tore through the sky—a wyvern, misshapen and stitched with flesh that pulsed with dark energy. Below, masked figures moved like wraiths, wielding corrupted blades and chanting in a tongue that cracked the air.
Haruto's grip tightened on the Nullblade. "Riftspawn… and cultists."
Serenya paled. "Then Rael was right. The Rift has already opened further than we thought."
They pushed through the outskirts, helping where they could—shielding civilians, cutting down rogue beasts. But the deeper they moved, the clearer the picture became.
This wasn't a random assault.
It was targeted.
Haruto stopped dead in his tracks as they reached the Grand Plaza. The Temple of Stars—Vel'Tharan's greatest relic—lay in ruins.
Lucien crouched beside a shattered statue. "They didn't just attack the city. They went straight for its heart."
From behind them, a voice rang out.
"Glad you finally caught up."
A woman stood atop a broken pillar, her silver cloak torn, but her posture unwavering.
She was tall, angular, with crimson war paint streaked across one side of her face. A long spear rested on her shoulder.
Haruto's eyes widened. "Kaela?"
Serenya blinked. "You know her?"
"She's one of the Seven Blades," Haruto said slowly. "And if she's here…"
Kaela leapt down, landing lightly.
"…then the war's not coming anymore," she finished for him. "It's already begun."