Kael and Elira walked hand-in-hand through the ruined halls of Black Hollow.
Though her strength was returning, her steps were still uncertain—like a ghost learning to be human again. Kael watched every movement, his grip never loosening, as if she might disappear if he let go.
Behind them, Kael's cousin—Riven—trailed in silence. His sword dripped with blood, but his expression was unreadable.
"We need to get to the outer levels," Kael said. "If they realize you're free—"
"They already know," Elira whispered.
Kael stopped.
"How?"
She pointed up.
Kael followed her gaze. The vines that wrapped around the room's ceiling were shivering. Petals fell like rain—but they weren't flowers.
They were eyelids.
Eyes carved into the ceiling, hundreds of them, now open.
"They've been watching."
---
The Warden Wakes
A thunderous bell echoed through the fortress.
Once.
Twice.
A third time.
Then silence.
Kael drew his sword. "That's not an alarm."
"No," Riven said. "That's an invitation."
The stone beneath them shifted. Kael grabbed Elira and pulled her back as the floor collapsed in a perfect circle.
From the pit rose a figure—tall, in robes of shadow stitched with glowing names. His face was masked, made of mirror glass, reflecting all three of them.
"I am the Warden of Hollow Names," the figure said, voice like wind scraping over bone.
Kael stepped forward.
"Then you're the one who took hers."
The Warden tilted his head. "She gave it willingly… once she understood that names lead to pain. I gave her peace."
Kael raised his blade. "She was mine. And you buried her alive."
---
Trial of Fire
The Warden raised one hand.
Black fire surged out in all directions—consuming the walls, reshaping them. The corridor vanished. They were in a massive chamber now, dome-shaped, with only one door visible behind the Warden.
"I will offer you a deal," the Warden said. "One of you may leave. The others must stay behind. You may choose who lives."
Kael didn't wait.
He leapt forward, his blade igniting with red light—the blood-etched runes of vengeance flaring as he struck.
The Warden caught the blade barehanded.
"You'll need more than rage," he whispered.
And then the floor exploded beneath them.
Kael slammed into a pillar, coughing blood.
---
Elira Remembers
As Kael staggered to rise, Elira stepped forward.
She stared at the Warden. "You tried to make me forget."
"You asked me to," the Warden said. "You were breaking."
"No," she whispered. "I was surviving. I was waiting."
Light bloomed in her hands—pure, silver light.
Kael looked up. "That's—"
"The memory flame," Riven whispered in awe. "I thought it was just a myth…"
Elira raised her hand. The flame flared into a sword.
And her voice rang like a bell.
> "I name you Liorak, Betrayer of Memory. I name your sin. And I claim your end."
---
Until the End
Kael rose beside her.
One with fire, one with vengeance.
They charged together.
The Warden screamed.
And the door behind him began to open…
To be continue...