The war horns sounded before dawn.
A deep, terrifying sound that echoed across the entire Dark Kingdom.
Elena woke instantly.
Her heart pounded as she sat up in bed.
Outside the window, the sky was still dark, but flames of torches lit the castle courtyard below. Soldiers were rushing everywhere.
Armor clashed.
Horses screamed.
War had arrived.
Her door suddenly opened.
Kael stepped inside.
He was already dressed for battle.
Black armor covered his body, carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly with dark power. A long sword rested at his side.
He looked terrifying.
Powerful.
Beautiful.
But his eyes softened slightly when he saw her.
"You're awake."
Elena quickly got out of bed.
"The horns… is it Seraphine?"
"Yes."
Her stomach tightened.
"She's already here?"
"Her army reached the border during the night."
Kael walked closer.
The air around him felt heavier today.
Darker.
More dangerous.
Elena swallowed softly.
"You're going to fight."
It wasn't a question.
Kael stopped in front of her.
"Yes."
Silence filled the room.
Elena suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Be careful."
Kael stared at her fingers wrapped around his.
Then his gaze slowly lifted to her face.
"You're worried about me?"
"Of course I am."
His thumb gently brushed the back of her hand.
"You shouldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because no one on that battlefield can kill me."
His confidence should have been comforting.
But it wasn't.
Elena's voice softened.
"Everyone can die."
Kael's eyes darkened slightly.
For a moment he said nothing.
Then suddenly he pulled her closer.
Elena gasped as she collided with his chest.
His arms wrapped around her tightly.
Almost desperately.
"You worry too much," he murmured into her hair.
"You don't worry enough."
Kael leaned back slightly so he could look at her.
"If anything happens to me…"
Elena shook her head quickly.
"Don't say that."
"…you will rule this kingdom."
"I don't want to rule your kingdom."
Her voice trembled.
"I want you to come back."
Something shifted in Kael's expression.
Something deep.
Dangerous.
He lifted her chin slowly.
"Elena."
"Yes?"
"If I don't return…"
Her heart clenched.
"…burn this kingdom to the ground."
Her eyes widened.
"What?!"
His lips curved faintly.
"I'm serious."
"That is a terrible instruction."
"Maybe."
His thumb brushed her cheek.
"But if the world takes me from you… I want it to suffer for it."
Elena stared at him in disbelief.
"You're insane."
"Possibly."
Then his expression changed again.
Softer.
More vulnerable.
He leaned down and kissed her.
This time the kiss was slower.
Deeper.
Like a promise.
Like he was memorizing her.
Elena wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
She didn't want the moment to end.
But eventually Kael pulled back.
His forehead rested against hers.
"I have to go."
Her fingers tightened on his armor.
"I hate war."
"So do I."
"But you're very good at it."
His smile was dark.
"That is the problem."
He gently removed her hands from his armor.
Then he turned toward the door.
"Elena."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Stay inside the castle."
"I will."
"And trust no one except me."
Her heart skipped.
"…what does that mean?"
Kael's eyes grew colder.
"Seraphine is not the only enemy."
Then he left.
The door closed behind him.
Elena stood there in silence.
Her chest felt tight.
Outside the castle walls, thousands of soldiers marched toward war.
And somewhere in the distance…
Seraphine smiled.
At the Battlefield
Dark clouds gathered above the plains.
Two massive armies stood facing each other.
On one side…
Seraphine's army.
Thousands of soldiers.
Dark creatures.
War beasts.
And magic users.
On the other side…
The army of the Dark Kingdom.
Completely silent.
Waiting.
Then Kael stepped forward.
The moment he appeared, fear spread through the enemy ranks.
Even Seraphine's generals stiffened.
Seraphine herself sat calmly on her black horse.
Her golden hair moved with the wind.
"So the Dark Lord finally arrives."
Kael's voice was cold.
"You brought an army to die."
Seraphine laughed softly.
"Still arrogant."
Her eyes glowed faintly with magic.
"You should have killed me years ago."
Kael's shadows began spreading across the battlefield.
Dark energy crackled in the air.
"I still can."
Seraphine leaned slightly forward.
"But this time…"
Her smile widened.
"…I'm not here for you."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
Seraphine raised her hand.
"Attack."
The battlefield exploded into chaos.
War had begun.
Meanwhile…
Back in the castle…
Elena stood near the balcony again.
Her chest suddenly tightened.
The mark on her wrist began glowing.
Golden light spread across her skin.
And a voice whispered inside her mind.
"The war will bring your power… and your destiny."
Elena's eyes widened.
"What… is happening to me?"