The black portal sealed, swallowing its echoes.
Moments ago, the military base had crumbled to ash beneath Vaelstrom's hand. Moments ago, Kael had stood with crimson fire in his eyes and steel raised against the very man he once called brother.
Now, that memory lingered like smoke. It clung to the chamber. To the armor of the knights. To the stone of the throne hall itself.
Vaelstrom walked down the steps and seated himself upon the throne. His aura was iron-heavy, but his silence was heavier still. The knights lining the chamber dared not raise their heads.
All of them were thinking the same thing:
The boy we raised here—the boy who smiled within these walls—had tried to strike the Monarch.
---
Varin's Doubt
General Varin was the first to break. His voice carried the steadiness of a soldier, but also the unease of a man who had seen something unnatural.
Varin:
"Your Majesty… what we witnessed cannot be dismissed. The boy's eyes burned with crimson light. The flame that followed him… it was not of this world. If such a force holds him completely…"
His tone dropped, heavy.
"…then perhaps Kael is already lost."
The words hung. No knight dared breathe them again. But the fear was shared.
---
Seraphine's Protest
Bootsteps struck the marble. Lady Seraphine, silver-haired and unyielding, stepped forward. Her presence filled the chamber with defiance.
Seraphine:
"Lost? That boy grew up in these halls. He laughed, he bled, he fought among us. Do you think one cursed flame could erase all of that? No. What we saw… that was no ordinary strength. Something else held his hand. I refuse to believe Kael struck of his own will."
Her voice cracked, the faintest betrayal of her steel composure. For her, Kael was not just a soldier. He was family.
---
Vaelstrom's Decree
The chamber froze when Vaelstrom finally spoke.
Vaelstrom:
"Enough."
His voice cut like iron, shattering whispers before they could form.
"You will not call it curse. You will not brand him with names you do not understand. He is not to be hunted. He is not an enemy. Until the truth is known, he remains Kael."
His gaze swept across them all, and none dared lift their eyes.
---
The Breaking Point
Seraphine lowered her head, shoulders trembling. Her voice wavered, softer, almost pleading.
Seraphine:
"…Then tell me, my King. If that power swallows him whole… if Kael truly loses himself… will you raise your blade against him?"
The question froze every soul in the chamber.
Vaelstrom's shadow fell long across the marble as he stood once more. His armor gleamed faintly, as if catching firelight that wasn't there.
Vaelstrom (solemn):
"If that day comes… then yes. By my hand alone. Until then—he is Kael. He is my brother."
The decree echoed through stone and soul alike. Varin lowered his head. The knights followed in silence.
Seraphine dropped to her knees, tears darkening the marble.
For the first time in centuries, the throne hall shook not from power… but from grief.