The sky tore open.
Ash fell like rain, and thunder rumbled like the heart of a beast. Ureil descended through it all, four dark wings blazing with white fire. She hit the ground like a starfall, stone splitting under her boots, a crater blooming outwards.
Atlas braced himself, but she was already moving. Faster than sight.
Her sword flared, and his chest opened. One shallow breath—and his ribs were already wet with blood.
He staggered, snarling, but she didn't stop. A backhand caught him across the jaw, snapping his head sideways. Teeth shattered. He spat red and bone into the dust.
"Pathetic," she hissed, voice like honey poured over knives.
Aurora screamed and lunged in, a light blade flashing at her throat. Ureil caught the strike mid-swing with two fingers, broke the blade in blisters, and slammed the hilt into Aurora's face. Bone cracked. Aurora went tumbling across the stones, her flight spell snapping under her own weight.
Ureil didn't even look back.
