The red flare tore through the sky.

And Ameera charged.

That was the signal.

She didn’t wait for it to explode and lit up the moonless sky.

**BOOM!**

One of the tents burst into flames below.

The ground shook.

She skidded down the slope. Rocks scraped against her armor.

The flare burst in the sky, it’s noise tearing into her eardrums.

Shouts rang out. Weapons clanged. Metal against metal. Flames swirled up, shooting into the black of the night.

The perfect distraction.

Just as planned.

Ashfell falls tonight.

Ameera sprinted across the war camp. Eyes on the main tent. Her boots slammed against the soil. Her purple cape flapped behind her like a banner.

**BOOM!**

Another burst of flame exploded beside her, nearly knocking her off her feet. She staggered to the side, the hem of her deep purple hijab singed.

The ground trembled. More shouts clamored. Axes swung. Blood spilled like wine, mixing with the ash.

A soldier charged at her. He swung his blade.

Ameera dodged.

She dropped to the ground and rolled over the sand. She sprang up and jabbed her spear at the back of his neck.

She yanked it back. Strings of blood spurted out.

A life for a life

She thought to herself.

Splats of blood painted her boots.

Another sword swooshed beside her, grazing the edge of her cloak.

Its tip scraped. The lavender fabric ripped.

Ameera turned and slammed her elbow into his throat.

“AMEERA, BEHIND YOU!” A voice yelled.

An arrow whizzed by her cheek. A spear clattered and rolled at her feet.

She turned. Her heart dropped.

Another soldier missed her by an inch.

He dropped onto his knees. He slumped forward, revealing an elf.

She drew another arrow from her quiver. Her expression guarded. The hem of her green tunic dripped red.

Amidst the red flames, their eyes met. Her blonde hair brushed across her soot-covered face. Her lips cracked into a grin.

“You owe me one, General.”

And for the first time that night, Ameera smiled.

Ashfell’s base camp burned. Not from fire— but from her rage.

She gripped her spear. It burned golden and morphed into a rune blade.

Tents burned. The ground soaked in blood.

“A Human General was no match, they said.”She raised her runeblade, its carvings humming with energy, “It’s time they witness what they created.

Ashfell burns to ashes tonight.”