The beach had become a stage under the moon, silent except for the low crash of waves and the nervous breathing of hundreds of people.
Alaric stood in the center of the crater, blood still dripping from his chin, his one remaining arm raised high. Hundreds of glowing white portals hung in the sky behind him like torn holes in the night. From each one, blades slowly pushed out long swords, short knives, curved scythes, spiked hammers, hooked chains, and countless other sharp things that looked like they were born to kill. The metal caught the moonlight and threw it back in cold, deadly flashes. The low hum coming from the portals grew louder, deeper, vibrating in everyone's chest.
Alaric's red eyes burned brighter than ever. He grinned, all jagged teeth, and growled through the blood.
"Ready to die, Zero?"
The crowd sucked in a collective breath. A woman in a sundress clutched her boyfriend's arm so hard her knuckles turned white.
"He's really gonna do it…" she whispered.
