Arden's eyes lingered on the tattoo at the side of the bandit leader's neck. His blade was lowered, but his aura wasn't.
It pressed down on the man like a promise waiting to be fulfilled. The others in his party caught on quickly. Rael's knuckles tightened, sparks already crawling over his gauntlet. Nyra's eyes sharpened like drawn steel, while Zephyra's low growl rumbled through the mist, flames flickering faint around her scales.
The difference was clear. They weren't fighting ordinary raiders anymore. Their killing intent spoke louder than their movements.
"These aren't simple bandits," Arden said quietly, but the words carried weight. "You should've stayed in the shadows. Meeting us today… that's your doom."
The guards and laborers of Boro's group shivered.
