Page 127 of The Stolen Kingdom

The sound grew louder, accompanied by the sight of a cavalry tearing through the desert dunes.

“FuckingSkylians…“ Kenna growled, strapping her ax to her waist with force. She cracked her neck and shook her arms, readying herself. “I spoke too soon.”

Valda let out a dry laugh, sheathing the Heaven Sword and taking a step next to Kenna. “I must say, this has been the longest training session we ever had.” The sound of thehorses and soldiers getting closer did not faze her. Kenna had proven to be a wonderful ally in combat.

“I could’ve ended this minutes ago,”Kenna lowered her body to the ground. “Sentimentalist.”

“Speak for yourself,bitch.”Valda grinned, proud that she had learned a couple of curse words in Arevulcan from Kayden.

The soldiers surged closer, while shouts of commands were barely audible through the deafening sound of gallops. Valda and Kenna exchanged a glance before Valda tilted her head towards the incoming throng.

“Think we can manage this without our weapons?” Valda asked.

Kenna’s grin widened. “Do not doubt your god-given gift.”

Valda planted her feet firmly in the sand, her arms rising as she turned in slow movements. The wind howled in response, swirling around her like the sand beneath them shifted and rose, forming into a tornado. The vortex grew wider and stronger with each sweep of Valda’s arms, pulling soldiers and horses into its grasp.

Kenna, standing beside her, stretched out her hands and drew a deep breath, her chest expanding. With a sharp exhale, a torrent of flame shot from her mouth, twisting and merging with Valda’s tornado.

“Hot enough for you?” Kenna quipped, planting her hands on her hips and watching the destruction with satisfaction.

The fiery tornado roared louder than the screams of the soldiers it consumed, its heat warping the air, scorching everything it touched. Kenna’s grin faltered for a moment as she glanced at Valda, who was now on one knee, her hands braced against the ground as she struggled to maintain the storm’s power.

“Don’t tell me you’re getting tired already,” Kenna teased, but Valda picked up the concern in her voice.

“I’m fine,” Valda gritted out, though her forehead was already damp with sweat.

Kenna gave a loud sigh and waved a hand dismissively. “Weakling.“ She inhaled sharply, her hands glowing as she channeled more fire into the vortex. The flames surged, devouring the last remnants of Arwin’s army.

As the last scream died away, the tornado dissipated as the flames vanished into faint embers until fading.

Valda collapsed on her hands and knees, her chest heaving. She needed a moment, but already Kenna was striding over to her.

The barbarian grabbed Valda’s blouse and yanked her upright with a sharp tug. “Well done, Valda Aither.” She chuckled and slapped her hand firmly on Valda’s back.

“I wish I could allow you a moment of respite, but we have to move,” Kenna said before scrunching her nose.

The smell of burn flesh was almost too much for both women to take. Valda brushed the back of her hand under her nose and sighed in disgust.

“If thatbitchisn’t dead, we wounded her with our holy weapons. She’s dying, and we need to act fast.”

“She can heal, right?”

“A wound from a holy weapon? No!” Her purple eyes gleamed. “These so-called ‘gods’ can be killed.” She scoffed. “There was no ‘Great Disappearance.’” Kenna said, a smile spreading through her features. “This is what happened to them.”

Valda frowned as Kenna’s words sank in. The gods had beenkilled? Her head swam with the implications, and she shook it, her exhaustion making it hard to think. It was a miracle she was still standing at all.

Kenna’s hands gripped her shoulders, forcing Valda to meet her intense gaze. “If she’s working with Arwin, she chose him to pass on her powers. We cannot let that happen.”

“He will have the gifts of two gods then…” Valda said before arching a brow at Kenna. “Has that ever happened before?”

Kenna swallowed hard and squeezed Valda’s shoulders tighter. “Facing Arwin with the strength of two gods coursing through him will be no small task,” she paused arched her brow and added, “I can assure you.”

Valda nodded slowly, her body screaming for rest, her legs threatening to give out beneath her. But Kenna gave her a firm shake, “Do not let your body tell you when you are done, Valda,” Kenna said, stepping back and turning to leave. “Meet me at Prospero. We’ll get the Sealians out!”

Swallowing the curse that threatened to escape her lips, she watched as Kenna ran off toward the Sealians, her energy seemingly untouched.

Valda wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she was jealous of the other woman’s stamina… Drained and aching, Valda turned to the nearest horse. The animal was skittish, its eyes wide and nostrils flaring from what had happened, but she steadied it enough to climb into the saddle.

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