The spies of the Nightbound reported that the Eclipsed Order had amassed their army in a vacant military compound outside the city. It was the perfect launching pad for a general attack, and Zara knew it was just a matter of time before they moved. The Order was no longer after the Shard—now they were seeking to dominate the whole city.
Helena and Zara gathered all their strength, preparing for a full assault on the compound. It was a risky move, but they had no choice. If they could strike at the Order before they were prepared, they stood a chance of stopping them.
As Zara stood on the rooftop with a look out over the compound, her heart pounded in excitement. This was it. The culmination of everything she'd been waiting for. She felt the Shard burning through her blood, its power building as the battle drew close.
Helena stood beside her on the rooftop, her face set in grim determination. "Are you prepared for this?"
Zara nodded. "I have to be."
"Remember what I said," Helena said, her voice low. "Don't hold back. The Order won't."
Zara breathed deeply, concentrating on the energy churning within her. She had prepared for this. She had learned to contain the Shard's power—at least, as much as anyone was capable of. Now, it was time to test that control.
The Nightbound came to station, ready to make the assault. Zara watched the Order's soldiers advancing through the compound below, never guessing the storm that was to break upon them.
"On my mark," Helena drew in her breath, her eyes on the target.
Zara's heart raced. The tension hung thick in the air, each second dragging out like an eternity. And then, in a soft word, Helena gave the order.
"Now."
Zara leaped from the roof, her shadows folding around her like wings as she plummeted toward the compound. The Nightbound followed, silent as specters as they began their assault.
The battle burst into life at once. Bombardments ripped through the earth as the Order's army clashed with the Nightbound. Zara sliced through the fight like a natural disaster, shadows strangling any enemy in her path. She had stopped restraining herself now, and the end was dire.
But even though she fought, Zara felt the Shard's strength driving her onward, insisting that she let go further. It voiced within her mind, promising her triumph if she would only release, if she would give over to the complete reach of its might.
For a horrific second, Zara considered it.
But then she saw Helena, fighting alongside her, and she remembered why she had come here. This was not about growing powerful. It was about stopping the Order, about protecting the people she cared about. And to do that, she had to keep control.
With a roar, Zara unleashed a wave of darkness, scattering the troops of the Order. But the battle was far from over.
---