Qurrah seethed in silence, pondering Harruq’s eyes and the glow of his swords. He went over their battle again and again. At no point had his brother tried to score a killing blow. He had struck with the hilt of his swords, or at his legs and hands. Compared to their previous battle after Aullienna’s death, the whole ordeal seemed tame. Qurrah was baffled. “What do we do now?” Tessanna asked, disrupting his thoughts. “We rebuild,” Velixar said. His arms were crossed, and he bent toward the fire as if he were ready to plunge his face into the embers. “We cannot collapse now, not so close to victory.” “The demons have already replenished their numbers,” Qurrah said. “I feel the strain of their passing with every breath I take.” “As do I,” Velixar said. “But we must endure.” “It’s been months since we first opened the portal,” Qurrah said, rubbing his temples. “I am flesh and bone, Velixar. I will break soon, as will you.” “I am not weak,” Velixar said, his eyes looking up from the fire.
