The flickering flames of the Resistance's hideout cast long shadows across the stone walls. The air was tense, every whisper and creak echoing in the confined space. Kael sat near the entrance, gripping the hilt of his dagger tightly, his eyes fixed on the tunnel ahead. Rion was beside him, nervously fidgeting with the edge of his jacket.
"They're coming," Maren said, her voice low but steady. She walked into the room, her sword drawn and a grim expression on her face. "The Dominion's forces are close. We don't have much time."
Kael's jaw tightened. "How many?"
"Too many," she admitted. "We've got a few minutes at best. They're coming hard this time—they must have tracked you after that shard surge in the market."
Kael glared at her. "You think this is my fault?"
"I didn't say that," Maren shot back, "but they're clearly after the shard. If we don't move now, we're all dead."
"Then we fight," Kael said, standing up.
"Fight?" Rion asked, his voice shaky. "Kael, there are dozens of them. Maybe more."
"And we don't have a choice," Kael said, his voice firm. "If we run, they'll just hunt us down. We stand here, and we make them bleed."
The First Wave
The sound of boots on stone grew louder, a steady drumbeat of inevitability. The Resistance members took up positions, their mismatched weapons and armor a stark contrast to the polished efficiency of the Dominion.
Kael positioned himself near the front, his shard thrumming faintly in his chest. He could feel its power, tempting him, begging to be unleashed. But he held back—for now.
When the Dominion forces poured into the tunnel, the world erupted into chaos. The first wave of soldiers surged forward, their rifles blazing. Kael ducked behind a crumbling pillar, his dagger flashing out to parry an oncoming strike.
Maren fought beside him, her sword carving through the Dominion soldiers with ruthless precision. "Don't hold back!" she shouted over the din of battle.
Kael gritted his teeth, his movements growing more frantic as the enemy pressed closer. Every strike he landed felt like a drop in an endless ocean, and for every soldier he cut down, two more took their place.
"Kael!" Rion's voice rang out, sharp with fear.
Kael turned just in time to see a Dominion soldier lunging at Rion with a blade. Without thinking, he surged forward, the shard's energy flaring to life. Flames erupted from his hand, consuming the soldier in an instant.
But the power didn't stop there. The fire spread, licking at the walls and floor, forcing friend and foe alike to scatter. Kael stumbled back, clutching his chest as the shard pulsed violently.
Unleashing the Shard
The battle raged on, but Kael could feel the tide turning against them. The Resistance was being overwhelmed, their numbers dwindling with every passing moment.
"Kael, we can't hold them!" Maren shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.
Kael's eyes darted to Rion, who was cowering behind a makeshift barricade. Fear and determination warred within him. He couldn't let this be the end.
With a deep breath, he reached for the shard's power, letting it flood through him. The pain was immediate, searing through his body like molten fire. But he pushed past it,