The Mistborn stronghold was hidden in a side ravine — tents of black canvas, violet wards glowing around the perimeter.
Miko and Kael watched from a ridge — shadows cloaking them.
The seal pulsed — angry.
They have it.
Kael looked at her.
"The crown."
Miko nodded.
"They took it from the cathedral."
Kael's voice was low.
"We need it back."
Miko agreed.
They planned — fast, quiet.
Night fell.
They moved — shadows and crimson tendrils scouting.
They breached the wards — silent.
Inside — tents, fires, Mistborn sleeping.
The crown — black ring with crimson veins — sat on a pedestal in the central tent.
Guarded by two.
Kael struck first — shadows coiling around one guard, yanking him down.
Miko followed — crimson tendril piercing the other's shoulder.
He screamed — alarm raised.
The camp woke — Mistborn pouring out.
The woman led them — spear raised.
"You came for it."
Miko's shadows rose — crimson storm ready.
"We're taking it."
The woman smiled.
"You'll have to kill us."
The fight began.
Mistborn charged — spears flashing, violet tips glowing.
Kael fought — shadows lashing, blocking, cutting.
Miko fought — crimson tendrils striking, piercing.
One spear grazed Kael's side — blood bloomed.
Miko spun — spear through the attacker's chest.
He fell.
The woman lunged — blade aimed at Miko's throat.
Kael intercepted — shadows forming a shield.
The blade sparked.
Miko pushed — crimson storm exploding.
Mistborn staggered — some falling.
The woman backed off — eyes wide.
"You're… different."
Miko glared.
"I'm me."
The woman retreated — vanishing into the mist.
The Mistborn followed.
Silence.
Miko picked up the ring.
The seal pulsed — satisfied.
Mine.
Kael looked at her.
"You okay?"
Miko nodded — breathing hard.
"I think so."
Kael's voice was quiet.
"You broke their camp."
Miko looked at the ring.
"We have it."
The seal pulsed — once, content.
Stronger.