The temple walls shuddered with every groan of the earth. Dust poured down from broken beams, cracks split the stone beneath their feet. Lianna clutched her glowing wrist, the burn almost unbearable now.
Kael's shadows surged outward, circling like a shield, restless, violent. Auren's glow pushed back the darkness, wrapping Lianna in trembling light.
Outside, screams ripped through the night.
Lianna staggered to the broken doorway, her chest tight. The ruined city sprawled before her—only now, it writhed. Ash-filled streets split open, shadow-tendrils spilled like black rivers, slithering toward terrified survivors. The torches they'd once raised against her flickered and died, swallowed by darkness.
Children shrieked. Families scattered. Some fell to their knees, wailing prayers. Others grabbed stones and blades, their hatred now sharpened by fear.
"There!" someone shouted. "It's her—she's calling them!"
Dozens of eyes turned toward Lianna, wild with terror.
Her heart stuttered. "No—I'm not—"
A stone struck the doorway, shattering beside her head.
Kael's shadows shot forward in an instant, slamming into the ground between Lianna and the mob, the impact exploding dust. His storm-gray eyes burned like steel. "You dare raise hands against her while I stand?"
"Kael!" Auren's glow flared, forcing his shadows back. "Killing them will prove their fear true—"
"They'll kill her if I don't!" Kael roared.
The mob screamed as more shadows poured from the cracks, coiling like snakes, striking down torches, dragging the foolish into black pits. The city was drowning.
And through the chaos, Lianna heard it again—clearer, stronger.
Little flame…
Her knees buckled. His voice wasn't distant now. It was everywhere—woven through the shadows, echoing in her bones.
You call, and I answer. The world cannot bind me forever. Do not fear me. Fear those who would chain us both.
Her tears blurred. She whispered before she could stop herself, "Eryndor…"
The mark exploded with light.
The mob shrieked, stumbling back, shielding their eyes. Kael cursed under his breath. Auren tightened his grip on her arm, silver glow clashing with her golden flare.
"Lianna, don't—don't answer him!" Auren pleaded.
But it was too late.
The city roared as shadows and light collided in a violent storm.
---
When the dust cleared, silence struck.
Bodies littered the streets—some unconscious, some dragged screaming into fissures. Survivors who remained alive knelt in terrified prayer, their voices broken.
Lianna stood trembling in the temple doorway, the glow of her mark casting her in unearthly radiance. She looked down at her own hands, horrified.
Did I do this? Did I cause this?
Kael's shadows stilled, his expression unreadable. "He is closer now."
Auren's silver eyes softened, filled with sorrow. "And she is the bridge."
Lianna flinched, wrapping her arms around herself. "I didn't want this. I didn't want any of this!"
"You cannot run from what you are," Kael said sharply.
"And what is she?"
The new voice cut through the ash like a blade.
They all turned.
At the edge of the ruined square stood figures cloaked in pale silver and crimson. Armor gleamed faintly beneath their robes, marked with runes that pulsed faint light. Their leader stepped forward—a tall figure, helm shaped like wings, eyes burning with conviction.
"The bride of fate," he declared, his voice ringing across the ruins. "At last, she awakens."
Lianna froze. Bride…?
The survivors who remained gasped, some bowing their heads, others weeping in terror.
Kael's shadows coiled tightly, storm-gray eyes narrowing. "Hunters."
Auren's glow flickered uneasily. "Or worse."
The armored leader's gaze fixed on Lianna, unblinking, reverent yet chilling. "You do not belong to shadows, nor to light. You belong to us. To the vow sealed in eternity."
Lianna's breath caught. "What vow?"
The man lifted his hand, runes blazing across his armor. His voice boomed like judgment.
"The vow of the Forgotten King."
The mark on her wrist burned hotter, as if answering him.
Lianna's world spun. "What… what do you mean?"
The man smiled beneath his helm, cold and certain.
"You are his bride, child. Tell me… will you claim the throne that waits for you?"
---
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What do you think will happen now??
Will she claim the throne __ or defy a destiny that could tear the world apart???