The duel between Riven and Kael was over. Everyone stood frozen.
Kael staggered back, eyes wide with fear.
"Wh-what… are you?" he stammered. "What did you just… do?"
Riven thought to himself: What do I do now?
Time was slipping away, and a darkness seemed to be stirring within him.
Darel stepped in immediately.
"That's enough for today," he said firmly. "Everyone can disperse."
But two people had seen the terrifying expression on Riven's face during the duel: Myra and Elian.
They had watched Riven stop just short of killing Kael.
For a moment… they couldn't move. They just trembled in place.
---
Some time later, Riven sat alone outside, silent.
Elian approached cautiously.
"Riven… how are you feeling?" he asked.
Without lifting his head, Riven replied,
"I'm fine… you?"
Elian hesitated.
"I… I want to ask you something, if you don't mind."
Riven frowned.
"What is it?"
Summoning his courage, Elian asked,
"During the duel… what were you thinking?"
Riven stayed silent. He didn't answer at first.
"Riven…" Elian tried again, this time more seriously.
Just as Riven was about to speak, a voice cut through the tension:
"What are you doing, weird-haired kid?"
Arden had arrived, a mocking smirk on his face.
Riven didn't turn his head.
"Don't speak to me that way," he said coldly.
Arden laughed.
"And if I do?"
Riven's eyes locked onto his.
"You'll see things you don't want to see."
Arden fell silent. But a moment later, he crept closer, voice sly:
"Do you have a family, Riven?"
The air shifted instantly.
Riven gritted his teeth.
"Don't go there, Arden," he said, voice low and dangerous.
Arden shrugged, pretending not to care.
"Or… are they dead, little boy?"
Riven's eyes flared with fire. Anger radiated from him.
A girl passing nearby felt the aura emanating from him.
Her eyes went wide, and she whispered to herself:
"This child… like a demon… how terrifying."
Arden kept speaking.
"So… you lost your parents, huh?"
Riven rose to his feet. His eyes were no longer normal.
Slowly, his voice dropped into a deep, chilling tone:
"Speak of my family again… and you will die."
Arden took a cautious step back. Silence fell.
He said nothing more. But the expression on Riven's face… was unforgettable