No.
Tens of thousands.
The Mmuhr’Rhong descended in an endless tide. Arkhevari warriors streaked across the heavens like shooting stars, but for every shadow they destroyed, a dozen more surged forward. I felt the moment Zapharos understood. Even he could not win this battle.
Not today.
The Praetor of War drove his sword through a towering Mmuhr’Rhong and turned toward us, his voice amplified by command and ancient power. “Retreat!”
Another section of the palace collapsed. The floor trembled beneath our feet.
“Now!” Zapharos roared. “Back to the ship. I have the globe.”
No one argued. Zapharos swept Ella into his arms. Dravok caught Nadine around the waist. I turned to Naeris. She was flushed, breathing hard, her eyes bright with battle and revelation. The most extraordinary female in the universe. My Aelyth.
I wrapped an arm around her and drew her tightly against me. “Hold on.”
Her arms flew around my neck. “Always.”
Just as before, the word hit me harder than any weapon. Then I launched us upward as the palace around us began to fall.
The world blurred into streaks of gold and shadow. Behind us, Zapharos’ palace shattered beneath the assault of the Mmuhr’Rhong. Crystal towers collapsed into the void while Arkhevari warriors fought desperately among the ruins, their light blazing against the endless darkness.
I propelled us through the air with a thought. In Nox Eternum, our powers were far greater than in Auris Prime; movement obeyed will more than gravity. The stronger the Arkhevari, the more instinctive it became. I tore across the battlefield like a comet, with Naeris clutched tightly against me.
More shadows surged toward us, sensing the Shard of Echoes. I could feel their hunger for it. One of the Mmuhr’Rhong lunged from the darkness, all claws and shrieking hunger. I twisted sharply. The creature missed us by inches.
Naeris immediately threw a blade. Even while flying through the Abyss in my arms, her aim was deadly. The knife embedded itself in the creature’s glowing core. The Mmuhr’Rhong exploded into black ash.
A fierce grin spread across her face. “I'm getting very good at this.”
A startled chuckle escaped me. By the stars, I adored her. Another explosion rippled behind us, killing any humor. Iglanced back and saw dozens of Arkhevari warriors forming a blazing shield wall to cover our retreat. Their light illuminated the Abyss in pulses of gold and silver. Still the shadows kept coming. Too many. Far too many.
Making me realize that we were losing. Not merely this battle. The war itself. Every century the Mmuhr’Rhong multiplied while the Arkhevari dwindled. Soon there would be no one left to hold the line.
The realization struck like a blade to the chest. Naeris must have felt it through the bond, because her hand slid against my jaw, forcing me to look at her.
“We’re not done yet,” she reminded me fiercely.
Her conviction shook me. She looked at me like victory was inevitable.
Hope.
That was what she carried into every room.
Into every battle.
Into me.
A violent roar ripped through the Abyss. Ahead, the others streaked toward the docking platform of the Celestial Portal. Zapharos carried the wrapped Shard of Echoes beneath one arm while fighting with the other, his sword blazing in massive arcs that vaporized entire swarms of Mmuhr’Rhong.
Ella clung to him without fear. Radiant power streamed from her palms as she reinforced the Arkhevari defenses.
Dravok and Nadine still moved together with lethal precision, weaving through the battlefield like they shared one mind. Around them, Arkhevari warriors fell. One vanished beneath a tide of shadows. Another detonated in a burst of celestial fire, taking dozens of Mmuhr’Rhong with him.
The surviving warriors did not break formation. They held. Even knowing they were dying. Rage burned through me. Not the poisonous rage the Harrowed One whispered into my mind.Something cleaner. Sharper. Protective. I would not let these sacrifices be meaningless. The docking platform came into view. Our ship waited with its engines already blazing.
“Move!” Zapharos thundered.
