The Blackbrand stronghold loomed ahead, its jagged towers piercing the gray sky. The air was thick with the acrid stench of burning wood and iron. Emmet's heart pounded in his chest as he and his group crouched in the shadow of a ruined wall, surveying the fortress.

Tabitha whispered beside him, her voice tense. “The wards around the prison block are strong. I’ll need time to break through them.”

Emmet nodded, gripping his spear tightly. His serpent coiled silently at his feet, its tongue flicking in anticipation.

“Time is something we don’t have,” Korvin muttered. He hefted his axe, his muscles taut with readiness.

“We’ll make time,” Emmet replied firmly. “Let’s move.”

The assault was swift and brutal.

Emmet’s group fought with the precision of seasoned warriors, cutting through the Blackbrand guards like a blade through flesh. Tabitha’s spells tore apart barricades and sent shockwaves through enemy lines, while Lira’s arrows silenced sentries before they could sound the alarm.

Emmet led the charge, his serpent striking with lethal precision, its fangs sinking into throats and tearing through armor. Each step brought him closer to the prison block, closer to his siblings.

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The prison was a grim labyrinth of stone and iron. Emmet’s boots echoed through the corridors as he sprinted forward, guided by the map they had procured and his own burning desperation.

“Here!” Tabitha called out, stopping before a massive iron door inscribed with glowing runes. She began chanting, her staff glowing brighter with each word.

Behind them, Drenn and Korvin held off the reinforcements, their weapons flashing in the dim light.

“Hurry!” Lira urged, nocking an arrow and loosing it at an approaching guard.

The runes on the door flickered and died, and with a final gesture, Tabitha pushed it open.

Emmet surged forward, his heart in his throat. Inside, the room was cold and sterile, illuminated by the pale glow of enchanted crystals.

“Theo! Mila!” he called out.

Two figures sat slumped in the center of the room, shackled to the floor. Theo’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of Emmet’s voice. His once-bright gaze was dulled with exhaustion, but recognition flickered within.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Eet... you came,” he rasped.

Mila stirred beside him, her face pale but determined. “Took you long enough,” she whispered, a faint smile gracing her lips.

Emmet rushed to them, his hands shaking as he broke their chains. “I’m here now,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Theo coughed weakly. “They were... experimenting on us,” he said, his words halting. “Trying to force us... to use our powers.”

Mila winced, clutching her side. “It’s too late for us, Eet. They took too much.”

“No,” Emmet said fiercely. “I’m getting you both out of here.”

Theo shook his head, his expression pained. “We don’t have time. They’ll come for us.”

As if on cue, the sound of boots echoed down the corridor.

“Emmet!” Tabitha’s voice rang out. “We’ve got company!”

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The escape was chaos.

Emmet carried Theo while Mila leaned heavily on him, her steps faltering with each stride. Tabitha and the others fought desperately to hold off the pursuing guards, but the enemy’s numbers were overwhelming.

Theo’s breathing grew ragged, his weight becoming heavier in Emmet’s arms.

“Eet,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

“Save your strength,” Emmet said, his voice breaking.

Theo shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

In that moment, Emmet felt it: a surge of power, raw and searing, coursing through his veins. Theo’s body went limp in his arms, and Emmet staggered, a terrible realization dawning on him.

“No,” he whispered, his heart shattering.

Behind him, Mila cried out, her knees buckling. Emmet turned just in time to catch her as she fell. Her eyes met his, glistening with tears.

“Take us with you,” she whispered. “Always.”

Her body convulsed, and then she, too, was gone.

Emmet collapsed to his knees, cradling their lifeless forms. Around him, the battle raged on, but he heard nothing, felt nothing.

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The power came suddenly, a maelstrom of energy tearing through him.

Emmet’s body trembled as he felt their souls intertwine with his own, their essence fusing with his. The pain was unbearable, yet it was nothing compared to the grief consuming him.

The air around him shifted, growing colder. Shadows coalesced, forming a towering figure clad in dark armor. A greatsword materialized in its hands, wreathed in an eerie, pale light.

Tabitha stumbled back, her eyes wide. “Emmet... what have you done?”

The figure knelt before him, its presence radiating power and solemnity.

“I am Doramm,” it said, its voice resonant and otherworldly. “Your burden is now mine to bear.”

Emmet stared at the summon, his vision blurred with tears. “They’re... gone,” he choked out.

Doramm’s gaze was unyielding yet compassionate. “They live within you. Their sacrifice will not be in vain.”

Emmet clenched his fists, his grief hardening into resolve. He rose to his feet, his summons rallying around him.

“Let’s finish this,” he said, his voice cold and unyielding.

And with Doramm at his side, they tore through the Blackbrands like a force of nature, leaving nothing but ash and ruin in their wake.