The army left the World Tree at sunrise.

For the first time in weeks, the sky was clear.

Yet no one celebrated.

Everyone knew they had only three days.

Three days before Nethros could destroy the ancient barrier.

Three days before the Void returned.

Lucien rode at the front of the procession.

Seraphina rode beside him.

Lyra traveled between them, clutching the Crystal Heart.

Behind them marched the surviving Knights of Blackthorn, the Imperial Guardians, the Forest Rangers, and the Ice Titans.

They were no longer separate armies.

They were one force.

One last hope.

---

By midday, they reached the edge of the eastern mountains.

A massive stone bridge...