Tensions in the Council
Eren stood at the center of the Council of Radiance's grand hall, his presence an affront to many of its members. The light from the chamber's golden chandeliers cast long shadows around him, though his own aura seemed to absorb and reflect the light in equal measure.
One of the elder councilors, a stern man named Hadros, rose from his throne. His voice boomed through the hall."Eren, the so-called Veilborne, bearer of shadow and light. You ask us to heed your warning, but your very existence is a threat to the balance we've sworn to protect."
Eren's eyes flickered with gold and black energy as he met Hadros' glare. "The Eternal Night doesn't care about your balance. It seeks to destroy everything, light and shadow alike. If you're too blinded by your fear of me to see that, then you're already doomed."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the chamber. Lyssandra stepped forward, her staff gleaming faintly in the tension-filled room."Eren speaks the truth. We barely escaped an attack by creatures corrupted by the Eternal Night. They knew about the Nexus, and they're growing stronger. Ignoring this threat will only lead to disaster."
A younger councilor, a woman with silver hair named Elara, leaned forward in her chair. Her voice was softer but no less firm."If what they say is true, then we must prepare. But how can we trust someone who wields the Nexus' power, a force that has corrupted every bearer before him?"
Eren's voice cut through the debate like a blade. "Because I don't seek power for its own sake. The Nexus chose me because I can wield both light and shadow without losing myself. I'm not your enemy. But if you keep hesitating, the Eternal Night will be."
The chamber fell silent. The weight of his words hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and foreboding.
An Uneasy Agreement
After a tense deliberation, the head of the council, an elderly woman named Seraphine, raised her hand. Her voice was steady, imbued with authority."Enough. The Eternal Night is not a legend—it is a threat we cannot ignore. Eren, you have our attention. But know this: if you betray us, we will not hesitate to destroy you."
Eren nodded. "That's fair. I'd expect nothing less."
Seraphine continued, "Hadros, Elara, and I will convene to form a strategy. For now, you and your companion will remain in the citadel. Guards, ensure they are confined to the east wing. They are not to leave without permission."
As the council adjourned, Eren felt the weight of dozens of suspicious eyes on him. Lyssandra tugged at his sleeve."Well, that could've gone worse," she muttered.
"Could've gone better too," Eren replied, his tone dry.
The Shadows Stir
That night, Eren couldn't sleep. The citadel was too quiet, the kind of quiet that felt unnatural. The System chimed softly in his mind, breaking the silence:Warning: Hostile intent detected nearby. Initiate defensive protocols?
Eren's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his blades. "What kind of hostile intent?" he murmured.
The System responded:Multiple signatures approaching your location. Stealth active. Unknown allegiance.
He cursed under his breath and moved to Lyssandra's room. Knocking softly on her door, he whispered, "Lyssandra. Wake up."
The door creaked open, revealing a groggy Lyssandra. "What is it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"We're not safe here," Eren said, his voice low. "Something's coming."
The Betrayal Unfolds
No sooner had Eren spoken than the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. A group of armored figures emerged, their faces obscured by helmets. Their weapons glinted in the faint moonlight streaming through the windows.
The leader of the group stepped forward, removing his helmet. To Eren's shock, it was Hadros."Did you really think we would trust a shadow-bearer within these sacred walls?" Hadros spat.
Lyssandra stepped beside Eren, her staff glowing faintly. "What are you doing, Hadros? The council agreed to work together!"
Hadros sneered. "The council may have been fooled, but I know better. The Nexus is a tool of corruption, and he is its puppet. We cannot risk the safety of the citadel—or the world—by allowing him to live."
Eren's jaw tightened. "So you're going to kill me in my sleep? That's your solution?"
Hadros raised his blade. "It's the only solution."
The Battle in the East Wing
The ambush was swift. Hadros and his soldiers attacked with ruthless precision, their weapons infused with radiant energy meant to counteract shadow-based powers.
Eren moved like a tempest, his blades flashing as he parried and struck. His mastery of the Nexus' power allowed him to summon tendrils of shadow to block attacks and bursts of radiant energy to blind his enemies.
Lyssandra held her own, casting barriers to protect them and launching spells to scatter their attackers."This isn't going to end well if we stay here!" she shouted.
Eren nodded, his mind racing. They were outnumbered and cornered, and using his full power risked destroying the citadel itself. But retreat wasn't an option—not yet.
The System's voice interrupted his thoughts:New Quest: Survive the Betrayal.Objective: Defeat Hadros and escape the citadel. Rewards: Stat bonuses, ability upgrade.**
"Helpful as always," Eren muttered, ducking under a swing and countering with a burst of shadow energy that sent two soldiers sprawling.
The Tides Turn
Despite their skill, the sheer number of enemies began to overwhelm them. Hadros pressed his advantage, his blade cutting through Eren's shadow constructs with ease."You're strong, Veilborne," Hadros admitted. "But strength alone isn't enough to overcome righteousness!"
Eren gritted his teeth, his energy waning. He glanced at Lyssandra, who was fending off three soldiers at once, her movements slowing."We can't keep this up," she said through gritted teeth.
Eren's mind raced. He needed a way to turn the tide. Then it hit him."Lyssandra! Cover me!"
She nodded, summoning a barrier of light to shield them. Eren closed his eyes, reaching deep into the Nexus' power. He felt the dual energies within him, the perfect balance of light and shadow, and began to channel them into a single, focused attack.
The room darkened as shadows swirled around him, forming a massive sphere of energy. At its core, a radiant light pulsed, growing brighter with each passing moment.
"Everyone, get down!" Lyssandra shouted, diving behind a fallen pillar.
Eren unleashed the attack, the sphere exploding outward in a wave of energy that knocked Hadros and his soldiers off their feet. The walls of the east wing trembled, cracks forming in the ancient stone.
When the dust settled, Hadros was on the ground, his armor scorched and his weapon shattered. He glared up at Eren, defiant even in defeat."You're a fool if you think this changes anything," he spat. "The council will never accept you."
Eren stepped forward, his eyes glowing ominously. "Then it's a good thing I don't need their acceptance."
Escape into the Night
With the east wing in ruins and reinforcements likely on the way, Eren and Lyssandra had no choice but to flee. They moved through the citadel's shadowy corridors, evading guards and sentinels until they reached the outer wall.
Lyssandra cast one last spell, creating a shimmering bridge of light that led them across the chasm surrounding the citadel. As they ran into the night, Eren glanced back at the citadel's towering spires.
"This isn't over," he said quietly.
Lyssandra nodded, her expression grim. "No. It's just beginning."
To Be Continued...