Chapter Sixteen – A Blade in the Dark
The fire burned low, casting a dim glow over the small camp they'd made on the outskirts of the Bloodstone Plains. Kael sat sharpening his sword, his glowing eyes reflecting the flames.
Aria sat nearby, hugging her knees to her chest. Her mind replayed the witch's words from the night before—Break the bond, walk into my shadows, and I'll let the girl live.
She hated how the witch's voice lingered, like a splinter she couldn't remove.
"What's on your mind?" Kael asked without looking up.
Aria hesitated. "She said you're my weakness. Do you… do you believe that?"
Kael paused mid-stroke, then slowly set the sword aside. "No. If anything, you're the only thing keeping me strong."
---
Her heart tightened at his words. "Then why do I feel like she's always one step ahead of us?"
Kael's gaze darkened. "Because she's been planning this for centuries. I've fought her for so long, Aria… but I've never seen her this desperate. That means we're closer to ending her than she wants us to be."
Aria nodded, though unease still lingered. "So what's the plan?"
Kael leaned forward, his tone calm but firm. "We move before she does. There's a place—an abandoned fortress deep within the Frosted Vale. It holds the Moonstone Altar. If we can reach it before she does, we might break part of her hold on this realm."
"And if we can't?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "Then we keep fighting. Until there's nothing left."
---
Later, as Aria tried to rest, Kael remained awake, scanning the shadows. The witch had struck twice already; she would not hesitate to strike again.
But what Kael didn't sense was the man watching them from the darkness beyond the ridge.
---
Darius.
Once Kael's most trusted general, now a creature twisted by the witch's magic. His once-bright eyes glowed red, his face marred by jagged scars. The witch's voice whispered in his mind, urging him forward.
Bring me the girl, she hissed. And I'll set you free.
---
The next morning, the air felt heavier. Aria noticed it first. "Do you feel that?" she asked as they packed their meager supplies.
Kael nodded. "Something's wrong. We're not alone."
His instincts were right.
---
They hadn't traveled far when the attack came.
Darius appeared out of nowhere, his massive frame blocking the narrow path between the jagged stones. He carried a dark-bladed weapon, its edge humming with shadow energy.
"Kael," Darius said, his voice hoarse but mocking. "Still playing king?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Darius."
"You know him?" Aria asked, startled.
Kael's voice was cold. "I did. Before he sold his soul to the witch."
---
Darius smirked. "Better a cursed soul than a dead king. Give me the girl, Kael. You know this ends with her blood spilled either way."
"Over my dead body," Kael growled, stepping in front of Aria.
"Gladly," Darius said, lunging.
---
The clash of blades rang out, sparks flying as Kael's black-fire sword met Darius's shadow weapon. Aria scrambled back, watching with wide eyes as the two warriors moved with terrifying speed.
"Kael!" she shouted when Darius nearly struck his side.
"I'm fine," Kael grunted, blocking another blow. But she could see the strain in his movements; Darius was strong—unnaturally so.
---
Aria's palm burned. Instinctively, she summoned her silver light, but it flickered uncertainly. She still hadn't mastered her power enough to strike without risking Kael.
Think, Aria. Focus.
---
Darius shoved Kael back with a powerful strike, his weapon cutting through the ground like butter. "You've grown weak," he sneered. "Is it because of her? Has she made you soft?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "She's the reason I'm still standing."
Darius laughed. "Then she's the reason you'll die."
---
In that moment, Aria made a choice. She stepped forward, her hand glowing brighter than ever. "Leave him alone!" she shouted.
Silver light burst from her palm, slamming into Darius like a shockwave. He stumbled, snarling as the magic burned across his armor.
Kael seized the moment, his sword slicing through Darius's weapon with a burst of black fire.
---
Darius roared, but instead of retreating, he threw a dagger. It wasn't aimed at Kael—it was aimed at Aria.
"Aria!" Kael shouted.
Time slowed. She saw the blade spinning toward her, glinting with shadow energy. She raised her hand instinctively, and the silver light surged out like a shield. The dagger shattered against it, sparks flying.
---
When the light faded, Darius was gone. Only the echo of his laughter remained.
Aria dropped to her knees, shaking. "I… I didn't even think. It just happened."
Kael knelt beside her, his hand gripping her shoulder. "You saved us both."
She looked up at him, fear and determination mingling in her eyes. "Kael, if the witch has people like him on her side…"
"We'll deal with them," Kael said, though his voice carried a shadow of doubt.
---
Later that night, as they rested in a cave, Aria sat beside Kael, unable to shake the memory of Darius's words.
"She wants me dead," she whispered.
Kael looked at her, his gaze intense. "She wants to break me. She'll use you to do it."
Aria's heart pounded. "And what if she succeeds?"
"She won't," Kael said firmly. "Because I won't let her."
---
The silence that followed was heavy. Aria wanted to tell him how much she trusted him, how much she needed him—but instead, she simply leaned against him.
Kael didn't pull away. His arm wrapped around her, warm and protective, like a promise he couldn't put into words.