The Ancient Rite

Fidel gripped his sword tightly. "It's a diversion," he muttered. "Kael wants us to think he's attacking outright, but he's probing, looking for weaknesses."

Ciara raised her hand, summoning a barrier of light to reinforce the wards. "Then let's not give him any weaknesses to find."

Mother Agar joined her, chanting in a language older than memory, the earth beneath them glowing as her magic intertwined with Ciara's. They worked together, weaving layers of protection around the village, each one reinforced with Ciara's own power and Mother Agar's ancient knowledge.

As the shadows surged, one managed to slip through the outer ward, a towering figure taking form from the darkness. It was one of Kael's elite—a creature cloaked in darkness, its face obscured save for piercing, red eyes that fixed on Ciara with malignant intent.