The gunshot cracks through the chaos.
Dominic's body jerks, fire ripping into his side. His legs give way, slamming him into the sand. Warm blood seeps fast, too fast, slipping through his fingers as he clamps down in desperation.
Around him, his men stagger only a handful left alive, barely holding on after hours of war. Then more shots ring out. One by one, they collapse. Sand drinks their blood until silence swallows the battlefield.
Dominic gasps, vision swimming. He turns, forcing his body to obey, forcing his eyes to see who fired.
And then Tobias stepped out. Calm. Smirking. His gun lowered as if the massacre had cost him nothing.
Dominic's voice tore out, hoarse and ragged. "Why? Why would you betray me, Tobias?"
For a moment, silence. Then Tobias laughed. Low at first, then louder, sharper, until it echoed across the dead battlefield.
