Power.

You feel it now, coursing through you. Your heart pumps not blood, but liquid fire into your veins. Every fibre of your being is burning.

It is then that you hear the call.

"Ulric!"

Siris' voice.

You and Kyra rush out of the crumbling ruin, finding Siris already engaged in battle. He is scrambling to keep his distance, but his enemies, four women clad in silver-wrought plate, are hot on his heels. As you watch, one of the silver knights raises her blade, preparing to strike a killing blow. You rush to aid him, but Kyra was already ahead of you, and reaches him first. The knight's blade strikes Kyra's, and bounces off, but Kyra fails to anticipate the silver knight's free hand. You see her green eyes widen as the mailed fist makes contact with her stomach. She coughs, slumping down, and the knight raises her sword once more.

"No!" You shout, leaping forward, swinging your new sword in a downward arc. The silver-clad warrior sees your attack coming, and raises her sword to block it.

It doesn't save her.

Your black blade cleaves through her weapon, and then through her shoulder guard, and then through her.

Her compatriots, swift to react to this new threat, immediately swivel to face you and attack as one. All of their strikes land. Not that it matters. Through your armor, their attacks feel like nothing at all.

You turn to the first of your attackers, driving your sword through her chest, armor and all.

The second you simply backhand across the helm, and as you do, her head twists to the side with a terrible cracking sound, and she falls to the ground.

The last attacker stabs at the eye slit of your helm, but a small turn of your head causes her strike to bounce off hard metal instead. She has overextended herself, and your left hand catches her around the neck. Using your newfound grip, you lift her from the ground, then, slam her back down into it. You feel steel and bone give way beneath your attack, and the last of the attackers lies still.

You turn back to your allies. Kyra, though slightly queasy looking, is standing.

"Kyra." You say, surprised by the strength of your own voice. "You asked what we do now?"

Kyra nods, stumbling slightly. You step over to her, and she reaches out a hand to steady herself against you. Ignoring her gesture, you remove your helmet, stoop down, and gently scoop her into your arms, off of the ground. Then, you lean in, pulling her into a long, deep kiss.

"Now we show them why they should fear the bear among wolves."