The Rebellion Rises

He knew he should have remained hidden with the aged woman and the others. Yet adrenaline burned his veins, and his restless heart whispered to him. 'Avenge Eleni with your own hands.'

Only a madman would listen, but his feet moved before he could think. Perhaps he became one after witnessing the city's decadence for decades. Or maybe the solitude and powerlessness that had strangled him a little more with each passing day finally claimed his sanity. But honestly? He didn't care.

Instead, he unsheathed his gladius and roared with the other rebels as he charged the walls.

The cannons' bright flashes blinded him, each magical detonation threatening to shatter his eardrums. Heartbreaking wails echoed with them, the air growing sticky with the scent of blood and burning bodies. The horrible spectacle he saw through the swirling dust made him retch, but he had to move—forward with his brothers and sisters.