The air was sharp and cold as Ari approached the enemy’s hideout. The stone fortress stood hidden deep within a jagged canyon, its shadow stretching long beneath the pale moonlight. This was where they had taken Kimi.

Ari moved like a phantom, his dark eyes fixed on the fortress’s gates. The wind carried faint murmurs of voices from within—guards stationed to keep the world out. They didn’t know they had already failed.

Breaking In

The guards didn’t stand a chance. Ari didn’t slow as he approached the gates, his fists striking like thunder. One guard’s head snapped back as Ari’s elbow connected with his jaw, sending him crumpling to the ground. Another lunged at him with a spear, but Ari grabbed the shaft and wrenched it free, breaking it in half and using the jagged end to disarm the others.

The fortress doors shattered beneath a single kick, the sound echoing through the halls. Ari stepped inside, his calm, deliberate steps the only sound as he moved deeper into the stronghold.

Finding Kimi

The first few rooms were empty, save for scattered supplies and hastily discarded equipment. The enemy had been preparing for a fight, but they hadn’t expected him.

Ari found her in a dimly lit chamber at the heart of the fortress. Kimi was bound by glowing magical chains, her silver hair disheveled and her violet eyes blazing with quiet fury. She looked up as Ari entered, her expression softening with relief.

“Ari,” she said, her voice hoarse but steady.

“They didn’t hurt you,” Ari said, more statement than question.

“No,” Kimi replied, her gaze steady. “But they tried to get into my head.”

Ari stepped forward, his dark eyes scanning the room. A small group of guards stood near the walls, their weapons drawn but their fear palpable. And then there was Seris, standing at the far end of the chamber with a confident smirk on her sharp features.

“You really are predictable,” Seris said, her voice calm but mocking. “I knew you’d come alone.”

Ari ignored her, his focus on Kimi as he knelt to examine the chains. With a swift motion, he broke the enchantment, the glowing runes flickering and dying as the chains fell away.

Kimi rubbed her wrists, her gaze softening. “Thank you.”

“Stay behind me,” Ari said, his tone cold.

Facing Seris

Seris took a step forward, her smirk widening. “So, this is how the great Ari fights his battles? Charging in, breaking things, and thinking brute force will solve everything?”

Ari rose slowly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “I’m not here to fight you. Not yet.”

The guards exchanged nervous glances, their grip on their weapons tightening.

“You should be,” Seris said, her tone sharp. “Because this isn’t over. You can save her, but you can’t save yourself from what’s coming.”

Ari moved faster than anyone could react, closing the distance between them in an instant. He grabbed Seris by the throat, lifting her off the ground with effortless strength.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” Ari said, his voice low and deadly. “You made this personal the moment you took her. Now, you’re going to tell me everything—about your council, your plans, your base. Or I’ll make you wish you’d never set foot in this fight.”

Seris struggled against his grip, her confidence cracking as she clawed at his arm. “You won’t kill me,” she rasped, her voice trembling despite her defiance.

“No,” Ari said, his cold gaze never wavering. “Killing you would be too easy.”

He slammed her against the wall, the force knocking the wind out of her. The guards surged forward, but Ari didn’t even glance at them. His presence alone froze them in place, their weapons trembling in their hands.

“Stay out of this,” he said, his tone cutting through the room like steel.

The guards hesitated, then stepped back, their fear overpowering any sense of loyalty.

Securing Seris

With Kimi following close behind, Ari dragged Seris out of the fortress, her struggles useless against his unyielding grip. The remaining guards didn’t dare follow, their gazes fixed on the ground as the legend walked past.

By the time they reached the edge of the forest, Seris was silent, her defiance replaced by a grim realization.

“You think this will stop me?” she muttered, her voice bitter.

“No,” Ari said coldly. “But it’ll slow you down.”

Kimi stayed close, her violet eyes flicking between Ari and Seris. She didn’t speak, but the relief in her expression was clear.

Back at the Manor

When Ari and Kimi returned to the manor with Seris in tow, the others were waiting. Yuri’s daggers were out, her green eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.

“Is that—” Yuri began, but Ari cut her off.

“It’s Seris,” he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “She’s our prisoner now.”

Finoria raised an eyebrow, her warm brown eyes gleaming with surprise. “Didn’t think you were the ‘take prisoners’ type, Ari.”

“She’s not a prisoner,” Ari said, his cold gaze fixed on Seris. “She’s leverage.”

Varrek stepped forward, his scarred face unreadable. “You brought her here?”

“She has answers we need,” Ari said simply.

Seris smirked faintly, her sharp features regaining some of their edge. “You think you can break me?”

Ari leaned closer, his voice low and dangerous. “I don’t need to break you. I just need to make you talk.”

Seris’s smirk faltered, and for the first time, she looked uncertain.

Interrogation Begins

As Seris was secured in one of the manor’s lower rooms, Ari turned to the others.

“We’re not letting her out of our sight,” he said. “Kimi, reinforce the room with your wards. Yuri, Finoria—make sure no one gets close. Varrek, you’re staying here with me.”

“And what are you going to do?” Yuri asked, her tone sharp.

“Find out how deep this goes,” Ari replied, his dark eyes glinting with cold determination. “And then, we finish it.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over them.

For Seris, the war was far from over.

But for Ari, it was already won.