Knight's Sacred Burden
He gasped, winded, staring in horror as the energy swirled around Kael.
The Purifiers stepped into the cavern, their lanterns glowing with a lethal, pulsating intensity. They raised their weapons, aiming not at Julian, but at the figure kneeling by the Spring.
"The Vessel is here," the lead Purifier declared, his voice devoid of humanity. "Complete the cycle. Draw the essence."
"No," Kael whispered. He looked at Julian one last time, a ghost of a smile breaking through the rigid, stony mask of his face. "Start the flood, Julian. Now."