Battle V

The skirmish was over in moments, the scouts falling one by one into the endless expanse below. Aiden and Myne hovered briefly, the faint glow of their auras illuminating the aftermath.

"Clean work," Myne remarked, wiping her daggers on her cloak. "But we're not out of this yet."

"Back to the ship," Aiden said. "Liam needs us."

They soared back toward the vessel, re-entering through the hatch just as it veered sharply toward the leyline dead zone. The oppressive energy of the pursuit began to fade, replaced by an eerie stillness that settled over the cabin.

Liam's voice broke the silence. "We're in. But I'd brace yourselves—this place isn't called unstable for nothing."

The cabin lights flickered, and the hum of the engines wavered. Outside, the sky shifted, the stars twisting unnaturally as the vessel plunged deeper into the uncharted void.