Chapter 3 (continued): The Battle for the Shard
A squad of heavily armed soldiers stormed into the temple, their exosuits gleaming under the blue glow. At their center stood General Ascaris, a towering figure clad in advanced battle armor, his face obscured by a metallic helmet.
"Kael Draven," Ascaris said, his voice amplified by the suit. "Step away from the Shard."
Kael turned to face them, his blade already in his hands. "Not a chance."
Ascaris chuckled. "You don't understand what you're dealing with, boy. That power isn't for you to wield. Hand it over, and I'll make your death quick."
Kael didn't answer. Instead, he charged, his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. The soldiers opened fire, but their bullets barely scratched him.
Mira darted into the fray, her daggers flashing as she targeted the soldiers' weak points. The two of them fought as a chaotic storm of muscle and precision, cutting through the Iron Order's forces.
But General Ascaris wasn't like the others. He moved faster, hit harder, and seemed to anticipate Kael's every move. Their clash was ferocious, shaking the temple and sending debris raining from the ceiling.
As the battle raged, the Shard's glow intensified. Its whispers grew louder, filling the room with an eerie, resonant hum. The energy was building, unstable and dangerous.
"You're going to destroy the whole place!" Mira shouted, dodging a blast from one of the soldiers' weapons.
Kael knew she was right. The Shard's power was spiraling out of control, and the temple wouldn't hold much longer. But he couldn't retreat—not with the Iron Order so close to claiming the artifact.
The Shard pulsed again, and for a brief moment, Kael's vision blurred. He saw flashes of a ruined world, flames consuming the sky, and the Shard glowing brighter than the sun.
When his vision cleared, Ascaris was standing over him, his blade poised to strike.
"Goodbye, Kael Draven," the general said.
Before the blow could land, the Shard erupted in a blinding wave of energy, throwing everyone to the ground.