War...

The forest seemed darker than before.

Kael ran ahead, his breathing controlled, his eyes narrowed. Exelia followed close behind, her sword still stained with illusory blood, her feet light as shadows. Liora brought up the rear, but her normally serene face now bore a look of unease that Kael rarely saw in her.

They had won—or thought they had. The battle against the succubus was over, the blood and pain still fresh on their skin... but it wasn't real.

The illusion was perfect.

So perfect it hurt to the bone.

"There's something very wrong going on in the midst of this civil war," Kael murmured, his voice low but firm. "That wretch was trying to do something."