Never Hide Your Heart
In the burning heart just about to burst
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Connel Vanagor
Connel moved with fierce precision, every motion a clean, deliberate strike that dropped another cultist before they could draw breath. His blade was a storm of purpose, cutting through the chaos until the last of their foes hit the ground.
Katarine didn't wait for silence to settle. She knew what came next, reinforcements, rage, and ruin if they lingered too long.
She dropped to her knees beside Daxium. He looked worse for wear, pale, trembling, and unmistakably annoyed. When she reached for him, he gave a low, guttural growl that made her roll her eyes.
"Still charming as ever," she muttered, slinging an arm under his and hauling him upright. His unseeing, yellowed eyes swept the room, searching for Connel as though hate alone might let him see again.
"You should have come alone," Daxium rasped.
"What he means is, thank you for saving his ass."
"My hero," Daxium spat, the words venomous enough to sting. Katarine hesitated for half a heartbeat, then tightened her grip and pulled him forward. There would be time later to deal with her brother's attitude, if they survived the next five minutes.
Outside, the Northstar waited on the ridge, her running lights slicing through the darkness like a promise. Connel keyed the ramp, and the trio stumbled aboard. The engines roared to life, kicking up a cloud of dust as the ship rose into the night, leaving the smoldering ruins and the cult's cries behind.