Kaelen's heart pounded in his chest as he moved cautiously through the bodies, his boots squelching in the blood-soaked earth. The once-pristine gates of the castle, now battered and open, stood like a silent testament to the chaos that had unfolded. The air was thick with the metallic scent of death, and the ground beneath him felt like it was still trembling from the battle's fury.
He approached the nearest fallen knight, kneeling beside the lifeless form. His fingers hovered over the bloodstained armor, and he could feel the heat rising from the ground. The blood... it was still fresh. His stomach twisted with a sinking feeling, confirming what he feared.
'The general...'
A cold realization settled over him. If these knights were dead and their blood was still warm, then the general had already made his move. It was true—he was heading toward the golden beacon after all.
