Chapter 13: The Final Strike
Kaylen steadied himself, the Ember Core pulsing faintly in his hand. Every fiber of his body screamed for rest, but the sight of Eryn locked in a desperate battle spurred him forward. The second Hunter moved like a storm, their crackling arcs of electricity tearing through the ruins with devastating precision. Eryn ducked and weaved, their agility barely keeping them ahead of the onslaught.
"We need to flank them," Solas said, their voice sharp. "They're too fast for a direct assault."
Kaylen nodded, his grip tightening on the Core. "I'll draw their attention. You take the shot."
"You're barely standing," Solas replied, their tone cutting. "You'll get yourself killed."
"I'm not letting Eryn die alone," Kaylen snapped. "We don't have time to argue."
Solas hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But don't overextend. The Core can't save you if you burn yourself out."
Kaylen took a deep breath, feeling the faint warmth of the Core spread through him. He channeled its energy carefully, summoning a flickering flame that hovered in his palm. The power was weaker than before, but it was steady—a controlled burn rather than a reckless inferno.
"Hey!" Kaylen shouted, stepping into the fray. "Why don't you pick on someone else?"
The second Hunter turned, their helmeted gaze locking onto him. The crackling electricity around them intensified, and they raised their hand, sending a bolt of energy streaking toward Kaylen.
He dove to the side, the bolt striking the ground where he had stood moments before. Dust and debris filled the air, but Kaylen pushed forward, conjuring a burst of fire to force the Hunter back. The flames danced wildly, scattering their arcs of electricity and giving Eryn a moment to breathe.
"Nice timing," Eryn muttered, falling back to regroup. "But you're insane."
"Yeah, well, I've been told that before," Kaylen replied, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
Solas emerged from the shadows, their relics glowing faintly. They moved with precision, positioning themselves behind the Hunter as Kaylen and Eryn kept them distracted. The Hunter lunged forward, their strikes growing more erratic as they tried to corner Kaylen.
Kaylen focused, channeling the Core's energy into a shield of flame that absorbed the brunt of the attack. The strain was immense, and his vision blurred, but he held on, giving Solas the opening they needed.
With a flick of their wrist, Solas unleashed a concentrated burst of energy from their relics. The blast struck the Hunter square in the back, their armor cracking under the force. They staggered, the electricity around them sputtering out.
Eryn seized the opportunity, rushing forward with a blade-like relic of their own. They struck with precision, slicing through the Hunter's exposed armor and driving them to the ground. The Hunter let out a distorted growl, their helmet sparking as it hit the rubble.
Kaylen stumbled forward, the Core's energy dimming as the battle reached its end. He collapsed to one knee, his breaths ragged. "Did… did we get them?"
Solas stepped closer, their gaze fixed on the fallen Hunter. "They're down, but not dead. And they won't stay down for long."
Eryn retrieved their blade, blood dripping from a shallow cut on their arm. "Then we need to leave. Now."
Kaylen pushed himself to his feet, swaying slightly. The Core felt heavier than ever, its hum faint but persistent. "What about the other one?"
Solas shook their head. "They'll regroup. We've bought ourselves time, but not much."
Eryn grabbed Kaylen by the arm, steadying him. "You look like hell."
"Feel like it too," Kaylen muttered. "But I'm still here."
Solas glanced toward the horizon, where the first rays of dawn were breaking through the clouds. "We need to move before reinforcements arrive. The path east is clear, but it won't stay that way."
Kaylen nodded, his resolve hardening despite his exhaustion. He looked at the fallen Hunters, their bodies twitching as faint sparks flickered through their armor. They had been relentless, deadly, and far stronger than him. But he had survived.
For now.
"Let's go," he said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his limbs. "We've got a long way to go."
Solas and Eryn exchanged a glance, then led the way into the ruins. The Ember Core pulsed faintly in Kaylen's hand, its glow a reminder of the power—and the cost—that still lay ahead.