The thing that had once been General Ryan tore the night apart with a roar—a ragged howl of a man consumed by his bargain.
He lunged with desperation, claws swinging, dark mana bursting from his maw. For a beat, the world narrowed to him: a hurricane of corruption aimed at anyone between him and freedom.
Then the pressure turned inward.
Ryan's frame heaved as if something inside was tearing him apart. Black veins pulsed under his skin, eyes rolling crimson.
He tried to force the power outward, but the vessel could no longer contain it.
A scream—more animal than human—ripped from his throat. The dark mana flared, then betrayed him. He doubled over, body convulsing before erupting.
The explosion bloomed clean and violent. A shockwave ripped banners and hurled men to their knees. When the light cleared, nothing remained but a smoking crater.
Silence lingered—then shattered into cheers. Tears and laughter mixed as men realized the tyrant who bound them was gone.
