Chapter 21 – Shadows in the Darkness
The air in the guild master's study was heavy.
The silence was suffocating, as if the very atmosphere pressed down upon everyone's shoulders.
Only the faint crackle of a dying candle accompanied Kael's ragged breathing as he stood there, fists clenched tight. His gaze was a storm barely contained, his face etched with a fury that threatened to erupt at any moment.
Selene was the first to break the silence, her voice tense and uncertain.
—Kael… what did the letter say?
The young man didn't answer. His jaw was locked, every muscle taut — his silence louder than a scream.
It was Master Abel who finally spoke, his tone grave and weary.
—The Eastern Kingdom… demands the return of Lyra. —His words struck the room like a hammer on molten iron—. According to the letter, they've arranged her marriage to the son of the high priest in the capital.
Selene's eyes widened.
—What? A marriage? With who?
It was Lyra who replied, her voice trembling, every word cutting her throat.
—His name is… Lucien. —She lowered her head, her hands shaking—. They call him one of the chosen of the gods, blessed with unmatched light magic. They say his power is monstrous… but— —she hesitated, her lips trembling— he's also cruel… merciless…
The master nodded grimly.
—That's right. A killer without compassion, always forgiven for his crimes thanks to the influence of the church and the crown. This marriage would tie the kingdom's faith and power together.
Kael's breathing quickened. His eyes darkened, and a deep, dreadful shadow began to rise from him. His voice, cold as forged steel, burst out like a contained roar:
—I don't care who he is… no one will force Lyra to marry. No one will take her from us.
Then it happened.
A dark, abyssal aura surged from his body.
An unbearable pressure crashed over the room, warping the air itself. Lyra, Selene, the master — even the messenger — struggled to stand as sweat poured down their faces.
And from within that darkness came another presence — a voice guttural and monstrous, echoing from every corner as if a thousand throats spoke at once:
"Kill them… kill them all… Blood. I want blood."
The entire study trembled. Kael's eyes were twin voids, his breath a feral growl. The pressure grew so intense it nearly crushed everyone to the floor.
And suddenly— it all stopped.
The aura vanished like smoke, and Kael collapsed to his knees, unconscious.
A distant explosion rumbled outside the guild, shaking the walls.
The master clenched his jaw, staring down at the fallen boy.
—That power… it's the darkness that lives within him.
---
Kael opened his eyes.
He was surrounded by endless black. No ground. No sky. Only the void.
The silence was absolute, broken only by the echo of his own breathing.
—Where… am I? —he murmured, glancing around.
Then memories struck him like blades.
He saw a small village consumed by fire, heard the screams, and from the ashes emerged faceless shadows devouring everything.
A small boy walked through the flames, his eyes hollow.
A chill ran down Kael's spine.
Suddenly, something lunged at him from the dark. He barely dodged, rolling aside.
A human-shaped shadow — identical to him, but made of pure blackness — stood silently before him.
—Who are you? —Kael demanded, heart pounding.
The shadow said nothing. It charged again, twin daggers of darkness flashing. Kael moved on instinct, barely avoiding the strikes.
—Damn it!
He retreated— but there was no ground beneath him, nothing to hold onto.
The shadow struck again, pinning him down. Kael clenched his teeth, bracing for the end—
—Kael.
The voice stopped everything. Gentle. Warm. Unmistakable.
He opened his eyes— and there she was.
Elyndra.
His teacher.
Kael felt his chest loosen. Tears spilled freely as he threw himself into her arms, clutching her tightly.
—I missed you, Mom! —he cried, his voice breaking.
Elyndra held him close, her own voice trembling.
—I told you… I would always be with you.
The darkness around them stilled, as if paying respect to their reunion.
—Master… why didn't you ever tell me you had a daughter? —Kael asked, his voice cracking.
Elyndra caressed his cheek, smiling with tender sadness.
—I couldn't, Kael. I had to protect her. The shadow inside you would have consumed both you and her, being half demon.
You can control it now… but it's still dangerous. That's why I kept it from you.
Kael lowered his gaze, pain flickering in his eyes.
—I understand…
Elyndra took his hands.
—Listen to me carefully, Kael. Protect my daughter. Protect Lyra too.
Kael blinked, stunned.
—You know Lyra?
Elyndra smiled softly.
—A year before I met you, I rescued Lyra from her father's grasp. Her mother asked me to.
Kael's eyes widened.
—You know Lyra's mother?
—Yes. I was her teacher at the royal academy. But when she uncovered the king's plans, she came to me, begging me to save her child. With Abel's help, we smuggled Lyra out of the capital and took her to the forest of the dark elves. There, she lived with Selene — they became friends, grew stronger together. But I… had to leave them. Nyxarion was already tracking me.
Kael clenched his fists.
—So all those times you disappeared for days… it was to see them.
Elyndra nodded.
—Yes. But now listen, Kael. I must show you something.
She stood, and Kael followed her through the endless dark. The silence stretched on until Elyndra spoke again, her tone lighter:
—And why don't you call me "Mom" anymore? —she teased with a faint sparkle in her eyes.
Kael flushed bright red, turning his face away.
—I… I didn't say anything…
She laughed softly — that same gentle laugh that had always comforted him.
Suddenly, a green flame flickered in the distance. Elyndra pointed toward it.
—We've arrived.
Kael frowned.
—This? It's just a flame…
—Here is where you'll learn to control your darkness. —Her gaze hardened.
And from the shadows, a figure emerged.
It was him — Kael, identical in every detail, but made entirely of shadow, wielding black daggers.
—What…?
—That is your darkness. Your reflection. You must defeat it. —Elyndra stepped aside.
Kael took a step back.
—But I have no weapons!
The shadow lunged without hesitation. Kael raised a shield of energy just in time — the impact sent him flying backward, rolling through the unseen floor.
—This is insane! —he shouted, barely dodging another strike.
The shadow was fast, relentless. Kael could barely hold out, conjuring shields, dodging by instinct. His breathing grew ragged, pain flaring in every muscle.
Then another shadow appeared — another version of him, moving in perfect sync with the first.
—Two of them?! I can't fight both!
—Kael! —Elyndra's voice rang out— Fight! Don't let them consume you!
But Kael was spent.
A single misstep— and one shadow drove its daggers deep into his side. Blood gushed as he collapsed, gasping, coughing crimson.
The world around him crumbled. His vision blurred.
—Is this… my end?
Darkness wrapped around him, binding him like chains. Everything began to fade— until a voice cut through the void.
"Pathetic… You're utterly pathetic."
Kael's eyes flickered open.
—Who… who's talking?
"I'll lend you this… only because you're pitiful."
A blinding light erupted around him. His wound sealed with burning radiance, fierce and pure. The shadows recoiled for a moment.
Kael rose slowly, the pain gone. Elyndra watched him, tears in her eyes, smiling.
—At last… you've done it —she whispered— Kael Saint Vent.