The air inside Duskspire Castle had grown colder, and Arkanis felt it deep in his bones. The council's presence loomed like a storm cloud on the horizon, a reminder that his every action was scrutinized. Yet, for the first time in decades, he didn't feel entirely alone. Elara, wary and skeptical as she was, had agreed to help him.
It was a small victory, but one he clung to tightly.
In the dim glow of his study, Arkanis stood before a scrying mirror, its surface rippling like disturbed water. Zyre hovered nearby, his emerald eyes flickering with unease.
"They'll call another meeting soon," Zyre said, his voice low. "The council won't tolerate your secrecy much longer."
Arkanis frowned, his reflection distorted in the mirror's surface. "Let them call their meeting. I've done nothing to betray our kind."
"Yet," Zyre muttered under his breath.
Arkanis glanced at him sharply, but he didn't argue. The truth was, he had betrayed the council in ways they would never forgive—not openly, but in spirit. Every act of kindness, every effort to repair what demons had destroyed, was a rebellion against the very foundation of their rule.
Elara entered the room without warning, her steps swift and purposeful. "You're not planning on attending this meeting alone, are you?"
Arkanis arched an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware you were so concerned for my well-being."
"I'm concerned about the bigger picture," she shot back. "If the council suspects you, they won't hesitate to take you out. And if that happens, who knows what kind of monster they'll put in your place."
Zyre chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "She's got a point, my lord. Your replacement would make this castle a true nightmare."
Arkanis sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The council won't move against me unless they have proof. For now, their suspicions are just that—suspicions."
"And how long do you think you can keep them in the dark?" Elara asked, crossing her arms. "Sooner or later, they'll discover what you're doing here."
Arkanis didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned back to the scrying mirror, its surface still shimmering faintly. "I'm not naive, Hero. I know the risks. But I've come too far to stop now."
Elara stepped closer, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Then let me help you. If you're walking into a trap, you'll need someone by your side."
For a moment, Arkanis said nothing. He studied her reflection in the mirror, searching for any trace of deceit. But all he saw was determination—pure, unwavering determination.
"Very well," he said at last. "But know this, Elara: if you stand by me, you'll make yourself an enemy of the council. Are you prepared for that?"
Elara's lips curved into a small, defiant smile. "I've been fighting enemies my entire life. What's a few more?"