Night fell over Ashara, but the city no longer obeyed the rhythms of sun and moon. The streets glimmered faintly with the blue pulse of the Covenant, illuminating alleys and towers as if the city itself were alive.
From the palace, Sultan Kadir commanded his forces. Soldiers marched in tight formation, their armor gleaming, banners snapping in the cold wind. Behind them, sorcerers muttered incantations, summoning shadows that twisted unnaturally, ready to bind the city and silence its awakening.
Zafira stood atop the highest terrace of the western wall, the ring in her hand glowing brighter than ever. Idris appeared beside her, sword in hand, eyes scanning the horizon.
"They're coming," he said, voice tight. "Thousands, and the sorcery… it's old, powerful. They want you dead and the Covenant contained."
"I know," Zafira said calmly, though her pulse raced. "But Ashara has chosen its protector."
Below, the first wave of soldiers struck. The ground trembled as the city shifted beneath their feet. Streets twisted into impossible angles, walls rose to block paths, and blue flames from the ring danced along cobblestones, forcing soldiers to stumble and retreat.
The sorcerers struck next. Bolts of dark magic arced toward Zafira, attempting to sever her connection with the Covenant. But the ring pulsed violently, countering their attacks. The air itself rippled, carrying whispers of centuries of hidden knowledge, warning of danger, and revealing weaknesses.
One sorcerer, taller than the rest and cloaked in shadow, broke through the line of soldiers. His eyes glowed a sickly green. "Zafira," he hissed, voice echoing unnaturally, "you cannot control what you barely understand. Hand over the ring, and I may spare your city."
Zafira lifted the ring. "I understand more than you know. Ashara remembers all, and it will not kneel again."
She thrust the ring toward the ground. The blue fire surged, expanding outward in a wave that engulfed the shadowed sorcerer. His screams echoed, then faded as the fire rewrote the magic binding him. He fell to the ground, transformed into ash that shimmered with blue light, absorbed back into the Covenant.
The soldiers faltered. Fear rippled through their ranks. Zafira moved swiftly, her cloak flowing, shadows bending to protect her as she advanced toward the palace gates. Idris followed, cutting down anyone who tried to strike.
From the tower, Sultan Kadir roared in fury. "Do not let her reach the gates! She will destroy everything I built!"
Zafira paused at the palace entrance. The gates were massive, iron-bound, but the Covenant pulsed beneath them, unraveling the locks and enchantments. With a thought, the doors swung open, revealing the throne chamber bathed in blue light.
The Sultan awaited her, fury in his eyes. Behind him, hidden allies in the court prepared spells and weapons, ready to strike. But Zafira did not hesitate. The ring pulsed, the city hummed, and the shadows themselves rose to her command.
"This ends tonight," she said, stepping into the chamber. "Ashara will remember the truth, and history will no longer serve tyrants."
The chamber shook as the Covenant unleashed its full power, intertwining the city, the ring, and Zafira into a single, unstoppable force. The siege had begun—but the real battle was only just starting.