Chapter 206: Kaelen’s Arrival

The battlefield was eerily quiet in the aftermath of the coalition's counterattack. The mountain pass was littered with the bodies of Kaelen's Revenant soldiers, but Mira knew better than to celebrate. Victory felt too fragile, too fleeting.

She stood at the edge of the battlefield, scanning the horizon as her troops regrouped. Solen approached, his face lined with exhaustion.

"We bought ourselves time," he said. "But they'll come again."

"They always do," Mira replied grimly. She glanced up at the cliffs where Elara was resting, visibly drained from her massive spell. "Elara needs time to recover. If they attack now, we'll be at a disadvantage."

Solen hesitated. "There's something else."

"What is it?"

"Our scouts reported movement—more forces heading this way. And Kaelen himself is leading them."

Mira's stomach dropped. "Kaelen? He's coming here?"

Solen nodded. "This isn't just a battle anymore, Mira. This is personal."

A Leader's Burden

Back in the sanctuary, Mira gathered her generals for an emergency council. The weight of Kaelen's arrival hung over the room like a storm cloud.

"This changes everything," Erynn said, pacing back and forth. "Kaelen isn't just some warlord. If he's here, we're fighting his full power."

"We've faced him before," Mira said. "We've beaten him before."

"That was different," Solen interjected. "Back then, he underestimated us. Now he's coming prepared, with his most dangerous forces."

Elara leaned heavily on the table, her exhaustion evident. "We need a plan, and we need it fast. If Kaelen gets through the pass, he'll destroy everything."

Talen, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, finally spoke up. "You can't fight him head-on. Not this time."

Erynn shot him a glare. "Oh, great, let's just surrender now, then."

Talen ignored her. "Kaelen's power comes from his connection to the Void. Break that connection, and you weaken him."

Mira frowned. "And how do we do that?"

"There's a nexus point," Talen explained. "A place where Kaelen draws his strength. Destroy it, and he'll lose the advantage."

Erynn crossed her arms. "And you conveniently know where this nexus is?"

"I do," Talen said firmly. "It's deep within the mountains, heavily guarded. But if we destroy it, we stand a chance."

Into the Mountains

Mira made her decision quickly. A small strike team would infiltrate the mountains and destroy the nexus while the main force held the line at the pass.

The team consisted of Mira, Erynn, Talen, Elara, and a handful of elite soldiers. Solen stayed behind to lead the defense.

Before they departed, Solen pulled Mira aside. "Are you sure about this?"

"No," Mira admitted. "But it's the only option we have."

"Then be careful," Solen said. "We can't lose you."

Mira placed a hand on his shoulder. "You won't."

The Nexus

The journey to the nexus was grueling. The path wound through treacherous terrain, with Kaelen's forces patrolling the area. The team moved cautiously, avoiding detection as best they could.

When they finally reached the nexus, they found a massive cavern filled with pulsating dark energy. At its center was a towering obelisk, covered in runes that glowed with an ominous light.

"That's it," Talen said, pointing to the obelisk. "Destroy that, and Kaelen's power will weaken."

Erynn eyed the guards surrounding the obelisk. "This won't be easy."

"It never is," Mira said, drawing her sword. "Let's move."

The Battle

The team launched their assault with precision. Elara unleashed a wave of magic that sent the guards into disarray, while Mira and Erynn struck with lethal efficiency.

Talen moved to the obelisk, studying the runes. "These wards are strong," he said, his voice tense. "I'll need time to disable them."

"Then we'll buy you time," Mira said, cutting down another enemy.

The fight was brutal. The guards were relentless, their dark magic making them formidable opponents. Mira fought with everything she had, her movements a blur of steel and fury.

Elara pushed herself to the limit, casting powerful spells despite her exhaustion. Erynn's daggers flashed in the dim light as she took down enemies one by one.

Finally, Talen shouted, "The wards are down! Now!"

Elara gathered the last of her strength and unleashed a devastating blast of magic. The obelisk shattered, releasing a shockwave that sent everyone sprawling.

As the dust settled, the cavern fell silent. The nexus was destroyed.

Kaelen's Fury

Back at the battlefield, Kaelen felt the destruction of the nexus like a blow to his chest. He staggered, his connection to the Void severed.

Vyn rushed to his side. "My lord, what's happening?"

"They've destroyed the nexus," Kaelen growled, his voice filled with rage. "But they've only delayed the inevitable. I will destroy them all."

His eyes burned with dark fire as he summoned his remaining power. The battle was far from over.