Exiled Sylph Elves led by Lirael (Tier 6) joined temporarily, sharing Nynieve's views.
Lirael warned, "Seraphyx burns passes to purify the Stone."
Garrick growled. "Fire versus shadow. The mountains become a battlefield."
Arin learned his bloodline linked to the Stone's forging.
Trust was fragile — elves feared Garrick's beast form; Elmira's Vorath past raised suspicion.
That night, Seraphyx (Tier 9) battled Vespera (Tier 7) in the skies. Fire and storm lit the peaks.
The group used the distraction to advance. Stray phoenix fire nearly killed them; Nynieve barely saved them.
They reached a plateau overlooking the cavern. Armies converged below — Vorath with Malachar and Varak, Sylvandar with Elandor, Bloodfang with Gromthar, Ironpeak with Durnak.
Krazul's voice echoed: "Excellent… I shall claim the Stone from your broken corpse."
The war escalated.