The Outpost had become a roaring inferno. Sparks twisted through the air like angry spirits, and thick smoke swallowed the stars overhead. Screams echoed from every corner, mixing with the sharp clash of steel and the dull thud of arrows hitting wood and flesh.
Talon dashed forward, her kinje burning so bright it painted her face in ghostly blue light. She swung her sword in one smooth arc, slicing through an enemy trying to climb the barricade. Blood sprayed across her armor, but she didn't flinch. Her eyes were locked on the next threat before the first body even hit the ground.
Tony moved like a phantom at her side. He ducked behind crates, throwing small orbs that exploded into clouds of stinging smoke. Enemies dropped to their knees, choking and clawing at their faces. With a flick of his wrist, Tony's dagger flashed, ending them before they could scream for help.
Janzo scrambled through the chaos, tossing vials over the wall and into advancing lines. One exploded into a sticky green slime that clung to boots and weapons, freezing the soldiers in place. Another burst into blinding light, scattering the attackers in confusion. Janzo panted heavily, sweat pouring down his face, but he kept moving.
On the upper walls, Garrett barked orders like a war drum. His sword clanged against shields, pushing back any who dared climb. His eyes searched constantly, always flicking down to find Talon and Tony among the flames.
"Archers! Focus fire on the siege ladders!" Garrett shouted, his voice hoarse but full of iron.
A nearby guard, trembling, lowered his bow. Garrett slapped him hard across the helmet.
"Draw, damn it! Or we all die here!"
The guard snapped back into motion, loosing arrow after arrow into the burning dark.
Below, Talon ducked as a flaming arrow zipped past her cheek. She turned to see Tony hurl another sphere that erupted into a fierce green blaze, devouring three men at once. She caught his eye and gave a quick nod — a silent thank-you, a promise that they were still standing together.
Suddenly, a war horn blasted from the enemy lines. Through the smoke, Commander Ryker emerged, towering above the others like a demon from a nightmare. His scarred face twisted into a snarl as he raised a massive axe.
"Find the Blackblood! Bring me her head!" Ryker roared, his voice echoing like thunder across the courtyard.
His soldiers surged forward, smashing through fallen barricades, their torches leaving trails of fire across the ground.
Tony sprinted toward Talon, grabbing her wrist. "We need to cut him off before he gets inside!"
Talon jerked her arm free and stepped in front of him. "No. I'll face him."
Tony froze, his eyes wide. "You can't take him alone!"
Talon's gaze burned. "I'm not alone." She glanced around them. "We are the line. Tonight, we don't run."
For a breath, Tony looked like he might argue. But then he clenched his jaw and gave a sharp nod.
"Then we end this together," he said.
Behind them, Janzo hurled another vial that exploded in a wall of purple flame. "Will you two stop making dramatic speeches and fight already?" he screamed.
A crooked grin flashed across Talon's face. She stepped forward, kinje crackling up her arms, her blade glowing with eerie light.
Commander Ryker charged, axe raised high, bellowing so loud the ground seemed to tremble.
Talon met him head-on, their weapons crashing together in a burst of sparks. Steel screeched against steel. She slid to the side, narrowly dodging his crushing swing, and sliced across his shoulder.
Ryker roared in pain and swung again, this time catching her armor and sending her sprawling across the stones.
Tony sprinted in, knives flashing like lightning. He ducked past Ryker's guard and stabbed him in the side, but the giant man barely staggered. He grabbed Tony and hurled him into a pile of crates.
Janzo, trembling but determined, hurled a vial directly at Ryker's face. It shattered and released a cloud of blinding smoke. Ryker cursed and clawed at his eyes.
Talon struggled to her feet, blood trickling from her lip. She took one last look at Tony and Janzo, her friends, her family, and then sprinted forward.
Her kinje surged brighter than ever, the blue glow flaring so fierce it looked like lightning dancing across her skin.
With one final scream, Talon drove her sword deep into Ryker's chest. The giant froze, eyes wide in shock. His axe slipped from his fingers and clattered to the stones.
For a moment, everything went silent. Then Ryker dropped to his knees and fell forward, dead.
A hush spread across the courtyard. Enemy soldiers staggered, staring in disbelief.
Talon planted her sword in the ground, panting heavily, her kinje still pulsing faintly. Tony pulled himself up, limping to her side. Janzo stumbled over, wide-eyed and covered in soot.
Garrett's voice rose above the silence from the walls. "The commander is dead! The Outpost stands!"
A sudden roar of defiance erupted from the Outpost defenders. The remaining enemy fighters broke, tossing their weapons and fleeing into the night.
Talon looked at Tony and Janzo, a tired, relieved smile breaking across her face. Tony grabbed her shoulder and leaned his forehead against hers, both of them shaking from adrenaline and exhaustion.
Janzo threw his arms around both of them, trembling but laughing. "We did it… we actually did it!"
Above, Garrett lifted his sword, eyes shining in the moonlight. The Outpost, though battered and scorched, had survived.
And at its heart stood a small band of misfits — fighters, alchemists, and dreamers — who had chosen to face the fire together