The streets of Tharien's Gate were eerily quiet as night fell. Kaelron stood on the city's southern wall, his gaze fixed on the distant docks where shadows shifted unnaturally under the moonlight. Ignis sat beside him, her golden feathers ruffled and her eyes scanning the horizon.
"They know we're coming," Kaelron said softly, the fragment in his satchel pulsing faintly against his side.
Nyx stepped up beside him, her sharp eyes narrowed. "Orlan's support was a double-edged sword. The gang must have spies everywhere. If Haryn was involved, who knows how many others are."
Eryk leaned against the stone parapet, his greatsword resting on his shoulder. "Let them come. Better to face them here than in that rat's nest of a hideout."
Kaelron nodded, but his unease grew as the fragment pulsed again, stronger this time. It wasn't just a reaction to the corruption—it was a warning. Something was coming, and it wasn't going to wait for them to make the first move.
---
A horn's blaring shattered the quiet night, followed by the sound of splintering wood. Kaelron whipped around to see the docks erupt in chaos. Several warehouses had caught fire, their flames licking the night sky as gangs of armed figures poured into the streets. Behind them, hulking shadow beasts emerged, their forms shifting and writhing like living nightmares.
"They're attacking the city!" a guard shouted, scrambling to sound the alarm. Bells began ringing, and the streets below erupted in shouts and the clash of steel.
"Looks like they brought the fight to us," Eryk said, his voice grim as he unsheathed his blade. Frostfang growled at his side, the wolf's icy breath misting in the air.
"Nyx, get to the western gate," Kaelron said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Make sure they don't flank us. Eryk, you're with me. We'll hold the main road."
Nyx nodded, her panther already bounding down the wall. "Don't get yourselves killed," she called over her shoulder.
---
Kaelron and Eryk raced to the main street, where a group of guards was hastily forming a defensive line. The gang's forces surged toward them, a chaotic mix of corrupted humans and shadow beasts.
"Form up!" Kaelron shouted, channeling fire through his staff. The guards obeyed, their shields raised as the first wave crashed against them.
Ignis roared and leapt into the fray, her talons glowing with molten heat as she tore into the nearest shadow beast. Kaelron followed, swinging his staff in wide arcs that sent flames surging through the ranks of their enemies.
Eryk fought beside him, his greatsword cleaving through the corrupted with brutal efficiency. Frostfang darted around him, freezing shadow beasts in place with blasts of icy breath.
But for every enemy they cut down, two more seemed to take its place.
"They're not stopping!" a guard shouted, his voice panicked.
Kaelron gritted his teeth, his bond with Ignis flaring as he channeled more power. "We hold here. Do not break formation!"
---
As the battle raged, a figure emerged from the smoke—a tall, cloaked individual whose very presence seemed to warp the air around them. Kaelron froze as he felt the fragment's energy spike violently, resonating with the figure's aura.
"That's no ordinary gang member," Eryk muttered, his grip tightening on his sword.
The figure raised a hand, and the ground beneath them pulsed with dark energy. Shadows coalesced into a massive beast, its form twisted and grotesque. The creature let out a deafening roar, its violet eyes locking onto Kaelron.
"It's the Shadow Tamer," Kaelron said, his voice low.
The cloaked figure tilted their head, their voice cold and echoing as they spoke. "You carry what belongs to the Maw. Surrender the fragment, and I may spare your city."
Kaelron stepped forward, his staff glowing. "You'll have to take it from me."
The Shadow Tamer chuckled darkly. "As you wish."
The massive shadow beast lunged, its claws raking through the air as Kaelron and Ignis leapt aside. Flames erupted from Ignis's wings as she struck back, her talons slashing at the creature's inky form.
Kaelron channeled fire into his staff, sending a blazing arc of energy toward the beast. The flames seared through its body, but the wounds quickly reformed, the shadows knitting back together.
"It's regenerating!" Eryk shouted, his sword clashing against the beast's claws. Frostfang leapt onto its back, biting down hard, but the creature shrugged him off with a violent twist.
Kaelron focused his energy, calling out to Ignis. "Full merge!"
The gryphon screeched as their bond surged to life. In a burst of golden light, Kaelron and Ignis fused, their forms becoming one. Wings of fire spread wide as Kaelron's staff transformed into a blazing spear.
He launched himself at the shadow beast, striking with incredible speed and precision. Each blow burned deeper into the creature's form, slowing its regeneration.
The Shadow Tamer watched in silence, their aura intensifying as they raised both hands. Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around Kaelron and dragging him down.
"You cannot win," the Shadow Tamer said, their voice echoing. "The Maw's power is absolute."
Kaelron struggled against the tendrils, his flames flaring brighter. "We'll see about that."
---
Nyx appeared suddenly, her daggers flashing as she cut through the tendrils binding Kaelron. Her panther lunged at the Shadow Tamer, forcing them to retreat momentarily.
"Thought you could use some help," Nyx said, her tone sharp but steady.
Kaelron nodded, his wings flaring as he rose into the air. "Eryk, now!"
Eryk charged the shadow beast, his sword glowing with Frostfang's icy magic. With a powerful strike, he shattered the creature's hind leg, causing it to stagger.
Kaelron seized the opportunity, diving down and plunging his flaming spear into the beast's core. The explosion of light and heat consumed the creature, its form dissolving into ash.
The Shadow Tamer let out a furious cry, their aura flaring as they vanished into the smoke. "This is not over," their voice echoed, fading into the distance.
As the last of the gang's forces retreated, the guards let out a cheer. The streets were littered with bodies and ash, but the city had held.
Kaelron landed, separating from Ignis as the bond released him. His body ached, but the fragment in his satchel felt calmer, its energy no longer pulsing erratically.
Nyx approached, wiping blood from her blade. "We won the battle, but the war isn't over. The Shadow Tamer's still out there."
Eryk sheathed his sword, his expression grim. "And the jungle shrine is still their target. They'll regroup and strike again."
Kaelron placed a hand on Ignis's neck, her warmth steadying him. "Then we need to move fast. We've bought Tharien's Gate some time, but the shrine can't wait."
Nyx nodded. "Let's regroup and prepare for the journey. The jungle awaits."
As the group made their way back to the council hall, Kaelron couldn't shake the feeling that the Shadow Tamer's words had been more than a threat—they were a promise.