The walls of the keep seemed taller as Aric approached them, their cold stone surfaces casting long shadows in the dying light of the day. Inside, the halls were filled with the muffled sounds of the guards preparing for the night watch, and the scent of burning torches mixed with the musty air that clung to the ancient stone.
Aric had not spoken to anyone since the Trial of Shadows. His mind was a storm, swirling with the images of his encounter with Selene, and the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest since then. He had turned down her offer of guidance, choosing instead to face his demons alone, but the words she had spoken still echoed in his mind.
I've seen it happen to too many people. And I don't want to see it happen to you.
She was right, of course. The darkness that he carried within him was not something he could ignore forever. Aric had learned how to suppress it, but each time it flared, it was harder to keep it under control. He had seen its consequences in his own family, in the way his anger and fear had driven people away, and how it had led to the loss of those he loved. He was afraid of becoming that monster, the one who lost himself to the rage and hatred.
But what if Selene was wrong? What if trusting someone else would lead him down a path he couldn't return from?
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Eldric, who stepped into his path as Aric made his way to his quarters.
"Aric," Eldric's voice was steady, but there was a note of concern in his eyes. "You've been quiet. Too quiet. What happened at the trial?"
Aric didn't answer right away. He couldn't explain it—not yet. Not to Eldric, who had always been a mentor to him, but who still didn't understand the depth of the darkness Aric struggled with. Eldric had seen the anger in him, but not the fear, not the constant battle that raged inside him.
"I'm fine," Aric finally said, his tone dismissive. "It was just another test."
Eldric didn't seem convinced. He studied Aric for a moment, then shook his head. "I've seen that look before. It's not just another test, Aric. There's something else. You've changed since the trial. And I can see it in your eyes. You're carrying a burden, one that you're not sharing."
Aric's chest tightened. He couldn't tell Eldric what had happened—not yet. But he knew he couldn't keep lying to him forever.
"I'm not who you think I am," Aric muttered, his voice breaking for the first time. "The darkness inside me—it's... it's more than just a part of me. It's taking over. I don't know how much longer I can keep it at bay."
Eldric's expression softened, and he placed a hand on Aric's shoulder, grounding him in the moment. "You're stronger than you think, Aric. I know you've been through a lot, but you can't let fear of the darkness control you. You've got more good in you than you realize."
Aric shook his head, his frustration mounting. "I'm not so sure anymore."
Before Eldric could respond, a sudden crash echoed down the hall, followed by the sound of shouting. The calm atmosphere of the keep shattered in an instant. Aric's instincts kicked in, and he drew his sword, ready for whatever threat lay ahead. Eldric's face hardened, and he moved swiftly to the source of the disturbance, motioning for Aric to follow.
They arrived at the courtyard just in time to see a group of armed men confronting a lone figure—one that Aric recognized immediately. It was Selene.
She was surrounded, her back pressed against the stone wall of the keep. Her eyes darted between the men, calculating, waiting for her moment to strike. There was no fear in her gaze—only a cool, determined resolve.
Aric's heart raced. He had no idea what Selene was doing here, or why she was being attacked, but one thing was clear: She wasn't here by chance. And she was in trouble.
"Selene!" Aric called out, stepping forward, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
Her head snapped toward him, her expression unreadable. "Aric," she said with a small, almost bitter smile. "You should have stayed out of this."
Before Aric could respond, one of the men advanced, sword raised. "Stay out of this, boy," he growled at Aric. "This doesn't concern you."
But Aric's blood was already boiling. He didn't care who these men were or what their reasons were for attacking her. Selene had been the first person to see the darkness inside him for what it was, the first to offer a way out. He wouldn't let them harm her.
With a swift motion, Aric drew his blade, the cold steel gleaming in the torchlight. He stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. The men hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to engage him, but the look in Aric's eyes was enough to make them reconsider.
"Leave her alone," Aric said, his voice low and dangerous. "Now."
Selene's eyes widened in surprise. "Aric, don't—"
But it was too late. Aric was already in motion, his sword clashing with the first attacker's in a violent explosion of sparks. His moves were sharp and precise, born of the training he had endured. The man's sword was knocked from his hands, and before he could react, Aric swept his leg out, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The remaining men advanced, but they hesitated, realizing they were outmatched. Aric's sword glinted in the firelight, and he knew he had the upper hand. He didn't want to kill them, but if they forced his hand, he wouldn't hesitate.
"Stop!" one of the attackers shouted, holding up his hands in surrender. "We're not here to die."
Aric lowered his sword, his breath coming in sharp gasps. He didn't trust these men, but for now, they seemed to have no fight left in them.
Selene stood, brushing the dust from her cloak, her eyes locked on Aric. There was a strange look in her gaze—one that seemed to mix admiration with something else. "You're not as weak as I thought."
Aric said nothing, his mind still racing. He had just fought off a group of armed men without a second thought. His grip on the sword tightened as the weight of his choices pressed down on him. He had just taken another step toward becoming something he hadn't intended to be.
"Why were they after you?" Aric asked, his voice still rough from the fight.
Selene's eyes narrowed. "It's a long story. But right now, you should be more concerned with the men you just faced. They weren't just random thugs. They were sent by someone who wants you dead."
The words hit Aric like a thunderclap. He had been too focused on the trial, on the shadows, to consider who might be watching him from the darkness.
"You're not safe here, Aric," Selene continued, her voice low. "Not anymore."
As the weight of her words settled over him, Aric realized that his life was about to change in ways he could never have imagined.