The cavern shook as another chain split with a deafening crack, molten sparks raining from the ceiling. The Hollow howled like a living thing, the voices of the imprisoned mingling with the laughter of the one breaking free.
Varrow pressed his assault, shadows coiling from his hands like serpents. Kael's Moonsilver Sword burned brighter in answer, each strike tearing through the dark. Their duel raged at the edge of the abyss, silver fire clashing against black flame, neither yielding.
"Can't you see, Prince?" Varrow snarled, his cloak snapping like wings. "Your sword was forged not to save her, but to bind her! The Moonsilver was always meant to cut flame into chain. When the moment comes, it will not protect her—it will pierce her heart."
Kael's fury roared through him, his blade flashing in arcs of silver. "Then I'll rewrite the steel's destiny myself!"
Their blades locked, sparks showering as Kael forced Varrow to his knees. For the first time, the warlord's grin faltered.
---
Across the cavern, Isolde knelt before the shuddering chains. The Crown of Dawn burned against her brow, its light spilling in torrents, feeding into the Shadow King's prison. Each pulse widened the cracks, each breath drew him closer.
The voice filled her veins.
Flame, child, vessel—your will is mine. Stop fighting. Take your place beside me. Together we will burn the world to ash and remake it in fire.
Her body trembled, fire spilling from her hands. The Keepers struggled around her, their chants cracking as shadows tore into them. Lady Elira called out, her voice straining against the roar. "Isolde! The crown does not own you—you own it!"
But her words were drowned by the Shadow King's laughter as another chain broke. His massive form shifted in the mist, his crown of black fire blazing.
Kael glanced back, panic seizing him. Isolde's eyes burned gold, her fire wild, uncontrolled.
"Isolde! Stay with me!" he shouted, his voice breaking with desperation.
Her voice answered, trembling, torn between two wills. "Kael… I don't know if I can."
---
Varrow struck at Kael's moment of distraction, shadows wrapping around his arm, forcing the Moonsilver Sword toward his own chest. Kael gritted his teeth, forcing back with every ounce of strength.
"You will fail her," Varrow hissed. "You will kill her yourself, just as the prophecy decrees."
Kael's eyes blazed with defiance. "Then I'll defy prophecy too."
With a surge, he wrenched free, his blade flashing upward in a silver arc. It cut across Varrow's chest, searing through shadow and flesh alike. The warlord screamed, staggering back, his cloak unraveling into smoke.
But even as Varrow fell, his laughter echoed, broken but triumphant. "It is too late. The chains are breaking. He rises!"
---
Isolde's scream pierced the cavern as the crown's light reached its peak. Fire and shadow burst together, a storm of power tearing through the Hollow. The chains shattered, one by one, until only a single glowing link held.
The Shadow King's form loomed vast and terrible, straining against it. His voice filled every stone, every heart.
One more chain. One more breath. And I am free.
Kael rushed to Isolde's side, pulling her against him. She shook violently, fire spilling from her hands, her eyes glowing like molten suns.
"Kael," she whispered, broken, terrified. "If I give in—end me. Don't let him take me."
His heart thundered, torn between love and doom. His hand tightened on the Moonsilver Sword, its silver runes pulsing as if it too waited for his choice.
And above them, the last chain groaned.