They hovered around Mirthsong Playhouse, all pretense of stealth and caution abandoned. When Enek’Chok landed his first blow—an elaborate, spinning kick—Jaina gasped and once again buried her head in Kal’s chest.

The Godknight went down, and Kal could no longer remember why he had been so angry with him just a week ago. Suddenly he was a child again, and the Godknight was still his hero. “Come on, man,” he whispered under his breath. “Get up.”

The Godknight did get up, and Lilly found herself wishing he hadn’t. There was a feeling of creeping dread in the air around them, as if they were witnessing a pivotal moment in history. A change in the world that could never again be undone.

Windham’s conflicted thoughts—should he keep trying to convince Lilly to come with him, or abandon her?—ceased as the Godknight stepped defiantly back up to Enek’Chok. Like the rest of them, Windham was in rapt awe at what he was seeing. The Godknight started to address Enek’Chok, but before the words were even formed, Enek’Chok had hammered him in the stomach with his fist, followed lightning quick by a raised knee to the chin.

The Godknight catapulted back, and the High Elder knew—just knew—that he wasn’t seeing this. None of this was happening. He especially wasn’t seeing the Godknight being beaten to a bloody pulp. Because that… that was impossible. So none of this was happening. No, not happening. Not happening at all…

The Godknight began to rise again, but before he had even fully stood up, Enek’Chok leaped into the air. The Godknight raised his head just in time to see Enek’Chok’s fist hammer him in the temple. The Godknight saw stars, and for a moment, blackness.

The Fellowship of the Faithful, as the soldiers and initiates of the Order of the Holy Ascension liked to call themselves, had gathered from around the city. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder alongside Verity’s Lament, forming a sweeping arc that resembled the grandeur of a gladiator’s arena. Many of them had once lived in Brightholme and been sent down river by the Godknight. They had witnessed the “man’s” invincibility first hand. The remainder had only ever heard the tales.

But each and every one of them felt a similar sentiment as Lilly had, if somewhat reversed. That something fundamental was shifting. Some felt the same twinge of sadness their Master of War had felt earlier. But most felt a quiet joy and a rising excitement. This was happening. This was really happening. Soon, everything Lord Malphor had promised them, their path to Ascension, would be assured.

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The Godknight was on one knee, trying to rise. Enek’Chok stood over him and grabbed him by the throat. He hammered him with another savage blow that reverberated throughout what was left of Safehaven’s City Center. Enek’Chok retained his grip on the mighty Guardian of Humanity’s throat as he pummeled him again. And again. And again.

Enek’Chok tossed the Godknight aside. An eerie hush filled City Center, thousands collectively holding their breaths. Enek’Chok stood over the Godknight, looking down. Waiting.

The Godknight stirred, lifting himself up by the elbows. Enek’Chok didn’t wait for him to rise, or even try. He reached down and grabbed him again by the throat. He turned and hurled the Godknight across the square as effortlessly as throwing a rock in a pond. He impacted face-first into the base of Godknight Tower. The tower shook with the impact, but still did not fall.

Enek’Chok stopped being casual and patient, breaking out into a sprint towards the Godknight. He let out a primal scream as he reared back and landed another crackling blow to the Godknight’s face. He sat on the ground, his back against the tower, his body nearly limp.

Enek’Chok got down on one knee before the Godknight and proceeded to pummel him relentlessly, delivering blow after sickening blow. The hush from the onlookers was shattered by a smattering of cheers. Soon, others joined in. A moment later, the entirety of the Order of the Holy Ascension was roaring in triumphant anticipation.

Kal, Jaina, Lilly, and the High Elder could only look helplessly on. Their attention was so focused on the fight that none of them noticed the small smile that crept across Windham’s face. He wiped it quickly away. If Lilly saw, she wouldn’t understand. And, thus, would never join him.

Enek’Chok assault on the Godknight ceased at last. Brightholme’s protector’s face was bloody, beaten, and bruised.

A moment of silent anticipation hung in the air as the Godknight stirred ever so slightly.

Then he slumped over, his lifeless body thudding unceremoniously into the dirt.

Enek’Chok turned to face his people. He raised his hands in the air and smiled. They erupted into fierce, wild applause.

The invasion was all but over now. The battle won.

And the Godknight had fallen.