Thera no time to wait!

The cold bit their skin the moment they stepped through the portal. The air was thick—wet with smoke, laced with ash. Flames cracked in the distance, spitting embers into a dark sky. Tree trunks glowed like coals. The scent of burning wood mixed with something worse: fear.

"Fellas, get up!" Seth’s voice cut through the haze. E and Idris stirred on the floor, groggy.

"We gotta go now! Get your stuff! I’ll explain on the way!"

"Wait, what?" Idris rubbed his eyes.

Charlene was already pulling him up by the arm. "The Sec’s in trouble. We have to go now, unc!"

They didn’t hesitate. Issa, the twins, and Tabitha remained behind. Seth led the way up the path, constantly looking over his shoulder. No one could follow. Not now.

Seth opened the portal to the woods near the Sec’s village—too close for comfort. Flames greeted them. So did screams.

"MOVE!" Seth's command sliced through panic.

Charlene wasted no time. "Renew! I need you!"

Seth called next. "Heth, to the skies—find who's causing this and stop them!"

Heth launched like thunder. ReNew soared, her wings slicing through the smoke.

A Fate tumbled through the underbrush, landing at Charlene’s feet, singed and trembling.

"Thank heavens you’re here! They came so fast—we couldn’t react... The nursery... the children...!"

His arms were blackened, skin peeling. Charlene didn’t flinch. She summoned a cooling balm. It coated his burns like silver water.

"You’re the one from my dreams," he whispered, eyes wide.

"It’s alright," she said, steady. "We’re here now."

"Dad, Heth—gather the survivors. Head east. Audubon. Hurry!"

Heth transformed—tusks erupting, skin thickening into gray hide. As an elephant, he barreled through burning trees, clearing a path. Seth followed, dragging people from collapsed homes, dousing fires with his cloak.

Idris and E sprinted toward the nursery.

"I’ll handle the flames," Charlene murmured. Her voice carried weight.

"I call upon the rain."

She closed her eyes. Thunder groaned. And then—water. It came in torrents, soaking the earth, smothering fire.

Above, ReNew spotted them. The ones throwing fireballs. "I see you, cockroaches."

She summoned a furious wind. It roared like a lion, twisting fire back toward its creators.

"What are you waiting for? Shoot her down!" a guard screamed.

Charlene raised her hands again. "Waters—rise!"

A wall formed. Towering. Liquid and light. It surrounded the village, a living barrier, shimmering like glass.

But while ReNew held the front, another attack came from behind. Fireballs.

Charlene saw it. "Not today, you derelicts."

She released the wall. A tsunami swallowed the attackers.

E and Idris reached the nursery. The roof was caving in. Tabitha and the kids huddled in a corner.

"Move! Everyone out!" E barked.

Idris threw his body under a beam. "I got it! Go!"

Outside, Heth kept clearing the way. "Follow the elephant! He’ll lead you to safety!"

Tabitha sobbed with relief, gripping E.

"Later," he said gently. "Run now. East. Audubon."

They let go. The roof collapsed seconds after they escaped.

Some guards had survived. Blades drawn.

E and Idris braced themselves.

"Here we come, Unc!" Charlene’s voice rang out. "Marrow Blade!"

ReNew ascended again.

"Spears of ice!"

Hundreds of frozen shards fell, halting the enemy.

Charlene reached her family.

"Speed."

She moved like a whisper, a storm, a shadow. The guards never stood a chance.

The enemy bent branches, slingshotting them. One smacked ReNew from the sky.

She hit the earth hard.

Charlene’s eyes snapped open. She stomped once. Fallen branches shot upright. Again. Leaves flew off.

They turned into spears.

She released them. They flew.

Some guards fell. Some ran. The captain stood firm.

"I will not be defeated by a child!"

"You will!" E and Idris shouted together. "And you have!"

The captain lunged.

Charlene held out a hand. "Go. Find ReNew. I’ve got this."

They obeyed.

"You got heart, girl. Should’ve let them stay. I’d have carved it out."

She smiled. Twirled her blade.

"I’m so scared," she said, mocking. "Please don’t hurt me."

He attacked.

She was faster.

A slice. Achilles gone.

He screamed.

"Now that I have your attention," she said, circling. "Deliver a message to Torrock."

He lunged again.

She ducked. Spun. The other Achilles—gone.

He howled.

"The Sect is under my protection. Come again, and I will end you."

Her eyes—black as night. And behind them, fire.

"Hold your ankles," she smirked. "You’ll need them for my message."

She walked away.

Far in the woods, they found ReNew. Crumpled. Still.

"Is she breathing?" E asked.

"Yes," Idris said. "She’s alive—but she’s disconnected. Her link to Charlene is gone."

"She’s a soul," E murmured. "Charlene’s soul. And she’s turned off."

They lifted her gently. Returned to where the battle had been.

Charlene was gone.

They headed east—toward Audubon. Toward hope. Toward her.