Mardonio's fury erupted, his movements losing their careful grace. He became savage, his strikes wild and desperate.
"You wretch! How dare you do this to your own daughter!"
His swordsmanship, once polished and precise, now burned with raw emotion. Each swing came faster, harder, powered by the desperation of a grandfather who had nothing left to lose.
The Dark Fate members laughed, their cruel amusement filling the air like a choir of demons.
"Hahaha!"
"What a fool!"
"Does she think the Lord Commander can be touched?"
"Blood alone cannot make you his equal, girl. Your strength is worlds apart."
BOOOOM!
Their laughter stopped.
The ground shook as golden flames exploded from Austaire's body. Her figure was consumed in a radiant blaze, armor forming over her frame, gleaming with divine light. From her back, two immense wings of fire spread wide, blazing like an angel's wrath.
The mocking voices fell silent. Awe replaced their sneers.
