She's in trouble

Seth finally got his morning brew. He turned to pull out a chair, but before he could even take a sip, a hand shot out of nowhere.

"Ummm—hot!" Argun winced, snatching the mug like a thief in the night.

"Where did you come from?" Seth muttered, rolling his eyes. "Darn portals."

Without another word, Argun downed the entire cup in one go. Steam hissed from his lips as he exhaled.

"Aaah. Tasty."

He slammed the empty mug down in approval. Seth blinked in disbelief.

"Dude, really? Want another?"

Just then, Charlene and ReNew entered the kitchen. The energy shifted instantly.

Argun, without turning, spoke quietly. "Hello, little one."

Shame still lingered in his voice—from the last time they’d met, when he obeyed Destiny’s command and left Charlene to fend for herself.

"Argun!" Charlene ran full-force and hugged him from behind. A faint smile cracked across his face.

"There’s no time for a reunion," he said, the light in his expression fading. "The First Spear needs our help."

Everyone froze. Seth stood.

"How can we help?"

"We have to go," Argun said grimly. "To the demon’s domain."

Demon Dominion

Deep in the scorched dominion, Destiny—the First Spear—was locked in a relentless battle.

She stood atop a jagged mountain crest. The air was thick with sulfur. The sky bled red. Below her, demons howled, clawing up the cliffs with maddening hunger, eager to consume the last light that dared defy them.

She had finally found Tamera after weeks of futile searching. The rings had led her here—not just symbols, but echoes of essence. They pulsed with a magnetic pull only she could feel. The moment she slipped them on, her heart tugged toward Tamera like a compass finding home.

But something felt wrong.

Too easy, Destiny thought. Too still.

No time for doubt. Tamera was close. Now, Destiny defended them both with the last of her light.

"Where are you, Argun?" she whispered, her hands glowing white-hot. "I don’t know how long I can hold them back..."

Each swing of her spear unleashed radiant energy, carving through the demonic horde. But it drained her. Her limbs grew heavy. Her breaths came ragged.

"I should’ve brought Seth..." she whispered. "But I couldn’t risk him—not this time..."

A foul gust hit her face. She gagged. The stench of burnt rot and ash filled her lungs.

Then came the roar.

A monstrous demon hurtled through the sky—six arms, black sinew wrapped in hellfire, and fangs like spears.

Destiny inverted her hand and sent a wave of force crashing down the mountain. It flattened dozens.

Another wave surged behind them.

"Not today!" she shouted, climbing higher, pulling Tamera behind her.

There was nowhere else to run.

She glanced at the girl—her face streaked with dirt and fear. Destiny’s heart twisted.

"I’m sorry," she whispered, voice trembling. "I did my best..."

She summoned everything—every drop of power, of essence, of will. Her light flared so intensely, the sky seemed to crack.

"Hold on to me," she told Tamera.

Tamera dropped low and clung to Destiny’s leg.

The moment the demons reached them—

KABOOM!

A searing burst of light exploded from Destiny’s core. The mountain trembled. Shockwaves tore through the dominion. Ash rained down like snow. Cliffs collapsed. Demons burned to black powder or were crushed under falling stone. A few fled—but the light hunted them, vaporizing them mid-step.

When the quake subsided, the mountain groaned.

Destiny dropped to her knees, shimmering with the last remnants of her power. Sweat soaked her armor. The ridge cracked beneath her.

"Tamera...?"

No response.

"Tamera! Where are you?!"

A small voice echoed, "I’m over here!"

Destiny crawled toward it. Tamera clung to a narrow ledge.

"Can you climb up by yourself?" Destiny rasped.

Tamera gave her a thumbs-up and began climbing.

Destiny swayed—then froze.

She felt it.

Another wave.

Bigger. Angrier.

A surge of darkness flooded the hills. Hundreds of demons swarmed the horizon.

"Could you possibly hurry up?" Destiny said, trying to sound light. "We’ve got guests."

Fireballs slammed into the mountain.

BOOM!

Tamera rolled forward and tackled Destiny out of the blast zone.

A hum split the air.

A portal opened.

Out stepped Seth, Charlene, ReNew, Heth, and Argun—followed by his snarling hounds.

"We’ll hold the line—get her to safety!" Seth roared.

Argun didn’t hesitate. He scooped Destiny into his arms.

"TO WAR!" he cried.

His hounds tore down the mountainside, ripping through demon ranks. Fire and light danced in their wake. Heth and ReNew soared above, casting shields of light to block incoming fire. Seth hurled fireballs with explosive precision, clearing paths. Charlene moved like liquid vengeance—Marrow Blade flashing, cutting demons down by the dozen.

Together, they became a force the demons had never faced before.

The tide turned.

Argun gave a sharp whistle. His hounds vanished into the portal. One by one, the others followed—until only Seth and Charlene remained.

The mountain was scorched and littered with smoldering bodies. The rest of the demons fled into the dark.

Seth nodded at Charlene. "Now."

They leapt through the portal.

Argun’s Lodge

Destiny lay still on a lounge chair, her body limp. Argun gently rubbed her hands, trying to wake her.

"She’s been like this since you found us," Tamera said, worry etching her voice. She grabbed a fan and began waving it over Destiny, desperate.

Seth knelt beside her. "She’s breathing… but barely holding on."

He stood. "We need to return to the cave. Gillead will know what to do."

Then, he turned to Tamera and placed a hand on her shoulder.

She froze.

Then slowly, she turned, arms open.

Charlene ran into them. Seth followed, wrapping them both in a protective embrace.

"Mommy! I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too," Tamera said, stroking her daughter’s hair.

Seth searched her face for any sign—any change.

Something flickered.

But it vanished before he could name it.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently, cupping her cheeks.

"I’m fine. Stop worrying."

"I love you, my beloved."

"I love you too."

But behind her eyes...

Something watched.

Something not quite Tamera.

Let me know if you'd like to add visual chapter breaks, a quote, or build suspense for the next part. Ready to continue when you are.