Chapter 25: The Siege of Rougeria
Black stone with iron doors and no windows.
Smoke from chimneys that weren't there yesterday.
"He's burning evidence," Adrian said.
They watched from a rooftop. His crows circled above.
"Then we go now," Lira said.
"We wait."
"For what?"
"For him to know we're here."
They waited until dusk.
The sky bled orange across Rougeria. The river turned rust.
Adrian stood.
"Now."
SwooshSwooshSwoosh
World gates opened.
Aryan's subordinates first. Then Ignis, wings folded, sword already drawn. Chris. Herla. Juran from the shadows. Twenty augmented gyn, golden veins pulsing beneath their skin.
Lira stared.
"You brought an army."
The Beacon's mask was in place.
"I brought insurance."
Boom
Ignis hit the gates like they were paper.
Guards poured out but Chris and Herla cut through them.
Aryan's men moved through the chaos.
Disabling.
Aryan's rule.
Swoosh
An assassin dropped from the roof. His blade aimed at her throat.
Spear of Longinus
Thud
He hit the ground. His armor with a hole in it.
Lira didn't stop.
_ _ _
The interior was a maze.
Crates. Cages. Chains from the ceiling.
The air tasted of blood and rust.
Fear.
The slaves who had been here.
Their fear had soaked into the stone.
"Split up." Adrian's voice through the earpiece.
"Lira, east wing. Aryan, west. I'll take the center."
"What's in the center?"
"Adeus."
The east wing was dark.
Her lance glowed faint. Just enough.
Swoosh
She turned.
A blade inches away from her face
Clang
Light against steel.
He pushed. She held.
"You're strong." He smiled. "For a half-breed."
Half-breed.
She swung.
Again.
Crack
His blade broke.
Her lance at his throat.
"Who are you?"
"Kael. Adeus' left hand."
"Not anymore."
Thud
The center of the warehouse was a throne room.
A chair made of swords. Adeus sat in it like he belonged there.
Grey hair combed back. Eyes the color of the river — dark, still, endless.
Adrian stood before him. Beacon's mask in place, halo dim.
"You came," Adeus said.
"You knew I would."
"Yes."
He rose.
"I've been waiting, Servant of the Blasphemer." He smiled. "Show me."
Boom
Ignis crashed through the ceiling. Sword aimed at Adeus's head.
Adeus caught it.
With his hand.
Crunch
He crushed the blade.
Ignis jumped back.
"Dragon." Adeus turned to Adrian. "Your turn."
Warding and Assistance Grimoire
Chains of light rose. Wrapped around Adeus' arms. His legs. His throat.
"Your magic won't work here."
Adeus laughed.
"I don't need magic."
Crack
He broke them.
Swoosh
Too fast.
Phase
Adrian disappeared. Adeus' fist hit the ground where he'd stood. The stone shattered.
Lira arrived as Adrian hit the wall.
Adeus had backhanded him across the room. His mask cracked. Blood on his lip.
"Adrian—"
"Fine."
His hands were shaking.
"So you are the Blasphemer himself." Adeus smiled.
Swoosh
Aryan appeared beside her.
Smile gone.
"Adeus."
"The Vaelthore boy. I heard you were dead."
"I got better."
Swoosh
_ _ _
Aryan's transfiguration couldn't touch him.
He'd evolved past it.
"Lira." Adrian's voice. "Now. While he's distracted."
She raised her hand.
Spear of Longinus
Light gathered. More than she'd ever used. Her arms shook.
For the slaves.
For her mother.
Swoosh
The spear hit his shoulder.
Adeus stumbled.
Aryan broke free.
Swoosh
Chris from behind. Blade coated in light.
Undisputed Sword Pierce
Into Adeus' back.
Roar
He threw Chris across the room.
But he was bleeding now.
"Kill him," Adrian said.
Aryan looked at Lira.
"Your choice."
She walked toward Adeus.
His eyes were wild. Angry. Afraid.
"You're just a child," he spat.
"Yes."
Spear of Longinus
"I'm the child you sold."
Swoosh
Through his heart.
He stared at her. His mouth opened.
Nothing.
Thud
He fell.
The warehouse went silent.
_
They found the slaves in the basement.
Hundreds. Chained to the walls. Their eyes hollow.
Lira stood at the entrance.
"There are so many," she whispered.
"Yes," Adrian said. Mask off. Face pale. Tired.
"We can't save them all."
"Then we save the ones we can."
She walked forward. Her lance became a key of light.
She touched the first chain.
Click
It fell.
A slave looked up.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Lira moved to the next chain.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Outside, the sun had set.
River black. Sky black. Warehouse burning — Adrian's order.
"Burn it all. Evidence. Bodies. Everything."
Aryan stood apart, watching the flames.
Smile back.
Eyes elsewhere.
Lira walked to him.
"You don't kill."
"No."
"Why?"
He looked at her.
"Because if I start, I won't stop."
She nodded.
They watched the fire together.