The night air still reeked of gunpowder and blood when a shadow moved swiftly across the ruins, leaping over debris with desperate urgency. In its arms lay an unconscious figure Sofia. Her body was limp, her hair disheveled, and blood still dripped from the deep stab wound on her back.
Other Shadows followed closely behind, their movements silent and alert for any sign of pursuit. But there was none. The mysterious figure who had attacked Sofia had vanished, taking Viktor with him who, up until moments ago, they believed to be a captive. Now they knew the truth: Viktor was a traitor.
The Shadows, as silent as mist on a moonless night, arrived at a makeshift shelter where survivors and members of Sofia's squad were being tended to. Among them was Rina, tirelessly moving from patient to patient, healing wounds and stitching flesh with both hands and magic.
She turned sharply as the Shadows approached, her eyes widening when she saw who they were carrying.
