The city was on fire as madness swept through the Cathedral District.
Flame and smoke writhed into the dawn, illuminating the formerly clean streets in flames. The Guild enforcers struggled to reassert control, but Revik's pinpoint attacks and Seraphine's firestorms held them at bay.
From the rooftops, Asher observed the battle from below. Each blast, each ring of steel, each burst of magic cast—it was all according to plan.
And so far, so good.
"Your people sure know how to make an entrance," Ardyn grumbled beside him, settling the twin daggers against his hips. His golden eye sparkled as he gazed out at the battlefield below.
"They have to," Asher said. "We only get one shot at this."
The Cathedral towered in the distance, a massive hulk of stone topped by rings of magical defense and numerous, well-armed guards. Within lay the Nexus Gate.
They needed to arrive first before the Guild caught on to their actual intent.
Asher let out a breath. "Time to leave."
Ardyn smiled. "At last."
The two walked down quickly, making use of the dense smoke and leaping shadows for concealment. The Guild soldiers were too occupied the open fight to see two figures making their way through side streets and back alleys.
A quartet of enforcers rushed past, off to a main fight.
Asher halted, leaning against a decrepit stone wall. Ardyn did too, catching their breath until the footfalls had passed.
"We keep this pace," Ardyn whispered, "we'll be inside the Cathedral before they even notice."
Asher wasn't so sure.
The closer they got to the Cathedral, the thicker the defenses became.
Guild mages patrolled the perimeter, their hands glowing with enchantments. Elite knights in enchanted armor stood at key entry points, eyes scanning for intruders.
It would only take one mistake for everything to fall apart.
Asher screwed up his eyes. They required a distraction inside the distraction.
And they had no time to spare.
Asher closed his eyes and concentrated.
Air around them foamed, warping like heatwaves off dunes.
Several streets away, a second Asher materialized. A flawless illusion, formed with just enough detail to deceive the vigilant guards.
Ardyn smiled. "Not bad."
The illusion fled out into the open, making a big show of it—upsetting crates, running between buildings.
Instantly, the closest patrols responded.
"There! Intruder!"
Guild knights sprinted toward the illusion, abandoning their post unguarded.
Asher and Ardyn stepped in.
They moved through the breach in the defenses, between two weathered stone pillars guarding the entrance to the Cathedral grounds.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted.
The din of conflict was muffled as imposing walls of white marble and stained glass windows enfolded them. The air reeked of divine power, choking and crushing.
At its center was the Nexus Gate.
The Nexus Gate – The Heart of the Cataclysm
The Gate was enormous.
A blue-runed stone archway hovered inches over a disk-shaped platform. In the center, a boiling whirlpool of silver and dark magic curled and throbbed, living-like.
Arcane sigils lined the walls, channeling power into the gate.
And in front of it—a figure swathed in dark violet robes.
A High Architect.
Asher knew the symbol at once. One of the Guild's most seasoned sorcerers.
They weren't alone. Six elite enforcers stood guard, heavily armored and armed with enchanted weapons.
Asher's fingers twitched. They were outnumbered—but turning back wasn't an option.
Ardyn grinned. "Looks like we're right on time."
Asher exhaled. "Let's not waste it."
Ardyn moved first.
In a blur of motion, he threw a dagger straight at one of the enforcers. The blade glowed with a golden sigil, bypassing armor and striking true.
The guard stumbled, choking on his own blood before collapsing to the ground.
The other enforcers rushed in a hurry.
"Asher Vaelthorne!" The High Architect's voice thundered in the room. "I knew you would appear."
Asher did not reply. He was already in motion.
He raised his hand—darkness surrounded his fingers before shooting out in a burst of raw arcane energy.
The first enforcer was knocked flying backward, slamming into one of the pillars of stone.
Another charged forward, blade drawn—only for Ardyn to parry the blow, spinning around him and slicing his throat.
But the High Architect did not blink.
They both raised their hands—and the very room started shaking.
The runes on the Nexus Gate blazed.
A burst of raw energy shot outward, sending Asher and Ardyn stumbling back.
"Asher," Ardyn gritted, fighting to stand. "I think they just initiated the sequence."
Asher swore. "Then we stop them. Now."