Kael let out a muffled roar and spread both hands out to the sides. The ground around him vibrated with brute force, as if the forest itself were reacting to his anger. A circle of green runes glowed beneath his feet, and a wave of magical energy exploded around him, hurling the first guards against the walls of nearby houses.
"Enough of this nonsense," he growled, his eyes glowing like green embers. 'You want war? You'll get it.'
Exelia pulled Liora back, shielding her from a guard approaching with his spear raised. She knew—Kael's tone had changed. It was no longer the tone of a weary companion or a wronged ally. It was the tone of a predator who had decided to stop pretending he was tamed.
"You made a big mistake stirring up this hornet's nest," Exelia muttered to herself, plunging her blade into the chest of the nearest enemy.