The temple was silent.
The air reeked of scorched marble and holy incense, shattered relics scattered like bones across the floor. At the center of the ruin stood Kael, his body trembling, his hands wreathed in stolen swordlight.
He stared at them in disbelief. They weren't his hands anymore. They glowed with Serath's aura, with the power of an Oath he had no right to wield.
The whispers in his head purred with satisfaction. More… take more…
"No," Kael hissed through clenched teeth, forcing his fists down. "This isn't… mine."
But the crowd saw only one thing: a Hollow boy who had done the impossible.
"The Destiny Thief…" someone whispered, their voice breaking with horror.
"The gods will curse us all…" cried another.
Knights stumbled to their feet, dragging their wounded commander from the rubble. Serath's armor was cracked, his once-proud blade flickering like a dying ember. Rage twisted his face.
"You—" he spat, pointing a trembling finger at Kael. "You will burn for this."
The High Priest raised his staff, his voice trembling with equal parts fury and fear. "You see? This abomination steals the Oaths of the chosen! He mocks the will of the heavens themselves!"
The crowd erupted in frenzy. Cries of "Kill him!" and "Monster!" echoed through the temple like thunder. Mothers shielded their children, priests raised wards, and even those Kael had saved earlier pulled away in terror.
Kael's breath came in sharp bursts. He wanted to scream that he hadn't asked for this, that he hadn't chosen it. But no one would listen. No one ever had.
"Kael!"
He turned. Lyra stood at the edge of the chaos, her golden wings blazing in defiance. Her eyes were wet, torn between fear and desperation.
"You have to run!" she cried.
Kael froze. "Run? I don't even know what I am—"
"You're you!" Her voice cracked. "Not Hollow, not cursed. Just Kael. Please!"
For a heartbeat, her words cut through the noise. His chest ached.
But then the soldiers surged forward, chains of light already weaving from their staves.
"Bind him!" the High Priest commanded. "Before he devours another Oath!"
Kael's instincts screamed. The stolen aura wrapped tighter around his arms, reacting to the threat. The whispers clawed at his mind: Fight… kill… claim…
His hands shook violently. If he gave in, he knew he'd slaughter them all.
And then there'd be no coming back.
"Kael…" Lyra whispered, barely audible over the storm. Her hand reached out, trembling, as if by touching him she could anchor him to himself.
Kael's heart wrenched. He wanted to take her hand. He wanted to believe her.
But the chains of light surged.
The choice was ripped from him.
With a roar, the aura erupted, blasting apart the bindings before they touched him. Knights were hurled backward like leaves in a gale. The temple shook, dust raining from the rafters.
Gasps of terror filled the air. The High Priest staggered, shielding his eyes from the stolen glow.
And in that chaos, Kael turned and ran.
Lyra's voice rang behind him, choked with tears.
"Kael—!"
He didn't look back.
He couldn't.
➡️ Cliffhanger: Kael flees into the night, hunted by priests and soldiers, while the world spreads the name that will define him forever — The Destiny Thief.