The roar of shattering iron echoed like thunder through the tunnels. Chains whipped across stone as revenants surged forward, their movements jerky but unstoppable, a tide of the damned flooding the chamber.
Liora braced herself, torchlight dancing across twisted faces she once knew. Dozens of crests, dulled but still visible, gleamed through rusted armor. Her order. Her family.
Kael's laugh was sharp, almost feral. "Well, Commander — you wanted a reunion. Let's not keep them waiting!"
The first revenant lunged, its clawed hands tearing through the air. Liora met it head-on, her blade sparking as steel clashed with cursed flesh. She struck true, severing its arm — but it didn't fall. It pushed forward, pressing her against the wall with inhuman strength.
Kael's dagger flashed, carving a path through another attacker. His movements were fast, efficient, ruthless — but even he was slowing, the swarm pressing them on all sides.
"Too many," he growled. "We need an exit!"
"There is no exit," Liora spat, parrying another strike. "Not until we understand what binds them."
Her words barely left her lips before a revenant staggered into the torchlight — its golden eyes glowing brighter than before. Unlike the others, it didn't strike. It raised a trembling hand, shielding her from the nearest lunge. The creature hissed, its voice breaking.
"Liora… don't… let it spread…"
The other revenants turned on it at once, tearing at their own kin as if punishing betrayal. Liora's chest tightened — even in damnation, some part of them fought to resist.
Kael yanked her back, fury in his voice. "You hesitate again, and we die here!"
The golden-eyed revenant's last scream cut through the chaos as it was dragged under the swarm. But its words lingered, echoing in her mind.
Don't let it spread.
The chamber shook, dust falling from the ceiling. Somewhere deeper below, a heartbeat boomed — louder, heavier, as though the city itself was waking.
Chapter Eight Ends