Before Kael could respond, the sound of arrows cutting through the air reached his ears. He dove to the ground, narrowly avoiding a volley that struck the rocks where he'd been standing.
"Ambush!" Varyn shouted, drawing his blade.
The group scattered, taking cover behind boulders as more arrows rained down. Kael peeked out, spotting the silhouettes of the Hunters perched on higher ground.
"They've got the advantage," Marlen said, crouching beside him.
"Not for long," Seris replied, her eyes narrowing. She pulled a pair of throwing knives from her belt and hurled them with deadly precision, striking two of the Hunters.
Kael drew his sword and charged forward, using the rocks as cover. Varyn and Marlen followed, their weapons ready.
The battle was chaotic, the narrow path leaving little room for maneuvering. The Hunters fought with ruthless efficiency, their movements coordinated and precise.
Kael felt the Heart's power surge within him as he clashed with one of the attackers. His blade glowed faintly, its strikes faster and stronger than he thought possible.
"Don't lose control!" Seris shouted, cutting down another Hunter.
Kael gritted his teeth, focusing on the fight. The Hunters were skilled, but they hadn't accounted for the group's determination—or the Heart's power.
One by one, the Hunters fell until only silence remained.
Breathing heavily, Kael looked around at his companions. Varyn was bruised but standing, his blade dripping with blood. Marlen looked no worse for wear, his usual smirk firmly in place.
Seris, however, seemed unusually tense.
"They'll send more," she said. "This was just a scouting party. The real force isn't far behind."
Kael nodded. "Then we keep moving. The Ashen Peaks are close, and we can't afford to lose our lead."
The group pressed on, the weight of the battle still heavy on their shoulders. The Ashen Peaks loomed ahead, their jagged spires a reminder of the challenges yet to come.
As they climbed higher, Kael couldn't help but wonder what awaited them at the Shard of Dominion—and whether they would survive long enough to find out.