Zulfar, slumped against the ground, slowly lifted his eyes forward, terror now dominating his gaze.
Standing before him, upright like a lion, was Rubayd.
His body was pierced clean through, blood pouring endlessly from him, holes the size of cannonballs scattered across what had once been a living temple of flesh and strength.
Zulfar could no longer speak. The words refused to leave his mouth. His father was condemned, he knew it, yet not a single sound escaped his lips.
Rubayd, slowly and painfully turning his head toward his son over his shoulder, managed to utter a single word.
"Pride."
Turning back toward his attackers, Rubayd drew one final breath, as deep as his broken body would allow. The more his chest expanded, the more blood burst forth from every wound, yet the Oathbearer pillar did not stop.
He roared.
