The eastern barricades collapsed with a deafening crash, splintered wood and broken stakes tumbling to the ground. The defenders of Refuge scrambled to regroup as Magnus’s forces surged forward, their chants and screams cutting through the choking haze of smoke and ash.

Grizzley stood at the front line, his machete flashing in the dim light as he cut through the melee. A raider lunged at him, swinging a jagged blade, but Grizzley sidestepped and drove his weapon into the man’s ribs. The raider fell with a wet gasp, and Grizzley pushed him aside, already searching for his next target.

“Fall back!” Grizzley bellowed over the chaos. “Pull to the inner defenses!”

Sam’s voice rang out nearby, steady despite the cacophony. “You heard him! Move it!”

Lila stayed close to her father, her spear thrusting forward as they retreated step by step. She caught a raider in the leg, the man screaming as he fell. Her hands shook, but she kept moving, her eyes locked on Sam.

“You’re doing great,” Sam said quickly, his voice low but firm. “Just stay with me.”

Nearby, Ezra swung his wrench with brutal precision, each strike fueled by a mix of rage and determination. His muscles burned, but he didn’t let up. A zealot charged at him, chanting incoherently, and Ezra ducked under their swing, ramming the wrench into their gut. The zealot fell with a strangled cry, and Ezra glanced up toward Mara on the wall.

“Mara!” Ezra called. “More coming your way!”

“I see them!” Mara shouted, loosing an arrow that struck a raider clean through the chest. She turned to the defenders beside her. “Hold the wall! Don’t let them through!”

From the ridge above, Magnus watched the chaos unfold with cold detachment. His iron mask reflected the firelight, its jagged grin an eerie mirror of the carnage below. He spoke quietly to Jace, who stood at his side, his blade already stained crimson.

“It is time,” Magnus said, his voice low and commanding. “Break their will.”

Jace grinned, sharp teeth glinting as he adjusted the grip on his weapon. “With pleasure.”

As Jace descended the ridge, Sister Amara stepped forward, her scarred face illuminated by the growing flames. She raised her staff, the jagged blade at its tip catching the light as she began to chant. Her words were a guttural, otherworldly murmur, and the zealots around her moved with renewed fervor. They hurled torches at the walls, their flames spreading quickly, engulfing the defenses in a roaring blaze.

Magnus remained on the ridge, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched the flames consume the settlement. “Beautiful,” he murmured. “The old must burn so the new may rise.”

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Inside the walls, Grizzley and the others regrouped near the inner gate. Marcus was there, pale and trembling, his eyes darting between the advancing horde and the defenders around him.

“They’re breaking through,” Marcus stammered, his voice barely audible. “We can’t hold them—”

“Shut it,” Mara snapped, her bow drawn as she scanned the battlements. “You want to be useful? Start hauling supplies to the fallback point.”

Marcus nodded quickly and scurried off, disappearing into the chaos. Grizzley watched him go, his jaw tightening.

“Think he’ll stick with it?” Sam asked, stepping up beside him.

Grizzley shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. He’s not a fighter. Focus on who is.”

Sam nodded, glancing back at Lila, who gripped her spear tightly, her face pale but determined. “We’ve got this, kid,” he said softly, offering her a quick smile. “Just stay close.”

Lila nodded, though her voice wavered. “I’m not scared.”

Grizzley smirked faintly, clapping Sam on the shoulder. “She’s tougher than she looks. Let’s keep her that way.”

The inner gate shuddered as Jace reached it, his blade flashing in tight arcs as he carved through the defenders. He moved with predatory grace, each strike deliberate and cruel. A group of defenders rushed to block him, but he laughed, slashing low to sever tendons and bring them to their knees.

“Come on,” Jace taunted, his grin widening. “Show me what you’ve got!”

Above him, Mara loosed an arrow, striking him in the shoulder. Jace staggered slightly but didn’t fall. He looked up at her, his grin twisting into a snarl. “That’s the best you’ve got? Try harder, sweetheart.”

Ezra saw Jace at the gate and felt a wave of cold anger surge through him. The memory of the Sanctified’s cruelty burned in his mind as he surged forward, wrench raised. “Jace!” he shouted.

The lieutenant turned, his eyes narrowing as recognition flickered across his face. “Well, well. The deserter.”

Ezra didn’t wait for a reply. He swung the wrench in a wide arc, aiming for Jace’s ribs. Jace parried with his blade, sparks flying as the weapons collided. The two men circled each other, their movements quick and brutal.

“Still clinging to your new friends?” Jace sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “You should’ve stayed with us. Magnus would’ve made you a king.”

“I’d rather die than be like you,” Ezra spat, lunging forward.

The fight was vicious, each strike and counterstrike echoing through the chaos. Around them, the battle raged, the defenders of Refuge falling back as the flames consumed the walls.

Grizzley stood near the inner gate, his machete slick with blood. He glanced toward the retreating defenders, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Sam, get them to the fallback point! Now!”

Sam hesitated, his eyes flicking to Grizzley. “And you?”

“I’ll hold the line,” Grizzley said firmly. “Just go.”

Sam nodded reluctantly, grabbing Lila’s hand. “Come on, kid. We’ve got to move.”

“But—” Lila began, her eyes darting toward Grizzley.

“Now!” Sam barked, his voice sharp but steady. “Grizzley will catch up.”

Lila hesitated, then nodded, allowing Sam to pull her away. Mara and Ezra followed shortly after, covering the retreat as best they could. Behind them, the gate finally gave way, and the Sanctified poured through, their torches and blades glinting in the firelight.

Magnus strode through the breach, his iron mask catching the glow of the flames. He paused, surveying the burning settlement as if admiring a masterpiece.

“Bring me the survivors,” Magnus commanded, his voice calm and unyielding. “Let them see what remains when they defy the Sanctified.”

Grizzley stood alone at the gate, his machete raised, his face set with grim determination. “Come on, you bastards.”

And with that, the final stand at Refuge began.