The ten-foot execution halberd descended like a falling guillotine of boiling crimson light.
A crescent of concentrated Saint Vessel Mid blood-fire cleaved through the sea spray, striking the outer volcanic arch of the forge cavern.
CRASH.
Two thousand tons of ancient basalt fractured down the center, collapsing into the outer channel with a deafening roar.
White dust, boiling steam, and pulverized stone billowed sixty feet into the air, obscuring the entrance in a dense gray fog.
Across the inner lagoon, five hundred allied sailors watched in horror as the rocky ceiling groaned.
Elder Sterling stood on the flagship’s quarterdeck, his hands gripping the mahogany rail so hard that the timber splintered.
Beside him, Captain Drake held his brass speaking trumpet, barking orders to the harbor crews.
