At the northern border...
Soren had just driven his sword through the skull of a Rogue when he suddenly felt a crushing pain exploding in his chest.
"...!"
His hand instinctively flew to his chest as he plunged his greatsword into the ground, using it to keep himself from falling.
It felt as though an invisible hand had reached through his ribs and wrapped itself around his heart, squeezing so mercilessly that even breathing became difficult.
"...What..."
His breathing became ragged.
"...What is this...?"
Around him, the soldiers immediately abandoned what they were doing and rushed toward him.
"Commander!"
"Did the Rogue get you?!"
"Are you injured?!"
"Should we call the medic?!"
Soren lifted one hand to stop them. "...I'm fine."
He wasn't.
Not even close.
This wasn't the familiar pain of a battlefield wound. It wasn't even close to a broken bone, a torn muscle, or a blade piercing flesh.
