Over the next two days, the city transformed.
From every district, from every frost-hollow and crystal-lined quarter, Kahr'uun warriors stepped forward. Some were veterans hardened by decades of battle against the corruption's lesser manifestations. Others were younger, newly trained, faces set with grim determination. Some carried ancient weapons etched with mana-conductive runes. Others relied solely on their spellcasting.
They came regardless.
They came knowing the truth.
They came knowing they might never return.
By the end of the second day, nearly one thousand Kahr'uun warriors stood assembled before the great doors to the sanctuon of eternity
The cold intensified, responding instinctively to the gathering of mana and resolve.
Rhozan stood before them with his staff planted firmly against the froststone ground.
"You know why you are here," he voiced strongly. "You know what awaits us above."
He did not sugarcoat it. He did not lie.
