Chapter Four – Blades in the Dark
Steel clashed, and the forest erupted into chaos.
The Order's knights surged forward, shields raised, blades gleaming with consecrated light. Kael met them head-on, his sword carving arcs of shadow that hissed against their armor. Every strike rattled the clearing, the abyss lending him strength beyond mortal flesh.
Yet each blow demanded a price. The whispers pressed harder, urging him to lose himself completely. Yes, bleed them! More! More!
Beside him, Liora's light blossomed—not a weapon, but a shield. Golden radiance spilled from her hands, creating a barrier that deflected the Order's first wave. Sparks flew as holy steel struck her shimmering wall.
"Kael!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the frenzy. "Stay with me!"
He snarled, parrying a knight's thrust before slamming his boot into the man's chest. Armor crumpled, and the knight collapsed, gasping.
Then a familiar blade nearly split him in two.
Darian.
The scarred knight moved with relentless precision, each strike of his radiant sword meant to end, not test. Their weapons locked, sparks bursting between them.
"You should've died with honor," Darian spat, shoving Kael back. "Instead you let the abyss claim you."
Kael's eyes burned with defiance. "And you still think the Order fights for light? They're no better than the shadows."
Their blades clashed again, dark against radiant, the impact shaking through the trees.
A knight slipped past Kael, lunging toward Liora. She lifted her hand, and vines erupted from the ground, snaring the man's legs. Her healing gift twisted into something new—life itself answering her call.
Kael felt the shift. For a heartbeat, the abyss quieted as if even it recognized her power.
But Darian pressed harder, his strikes fueled by conviction. Kael staggered under the assault, the whispers screaming: Unleash us. Tear him apart. Give in, and he will fall.
He almost did. Darkness surged in his veins, hungry and wild. The air around him thickened, shadows writhing like serpents.
"Kael!" Liora's voice cut through the storm again, fierce and unyielding. "Don't let it own you!"
Her cry tethered him. Forcing the abyss back, Kael roared and swung with brutal strength. His blade shattered Darian's guard, knocking the knight to one knee.
But Kael didn't finish him.
Instead, he lowered his sword, chest heaving. "Leave now, Darian. Tell the Order I'm not theirs to claim."
For a moment, silence reigned. Then Darian's lips curled into a grim smile. "You've only delayed the inevitable."
The knights dragged their wounded away, retreating into the night.
Kael stood trembling, shadows writhing faintly around him. Liora approached, placing a steadying hand against his arm. The whispers recoiled again, retreating into silence.
"You held back," she said softly.
Kael's gaze lingered on the blood-stained ground. "For now."
The forest grew quiet once more, but they both knew—this was only the beginning.