The wind in the palace courtyard was unnaturally still. Like the world itself was holding its breath.
Lucien stood beneath the twilight sky, barefoot on the cold stone tiles, his coat discarded, shirt clinging to his chest. Across from him, *Kael* watched, sword in hand, eyes unreadable.
"This isn't just training," Lucien said quietly.
"No," Kael replied. "This is survival."
---
1. Sword and Seduction
The first strike came fast.
Lucien barely dodged the arc of Kael's blade, its edge kissing the air where his throat had been. He countered with a flare of magic—but Kael struck again, knocking his stance off balance.
"Don't rely on the soul inside you," Kael growled. "If he takes over, you might not come back."
Lucien rolled to the side, panting. "He wants me to fight. To kill. Isn't that useful?"
Kael's eyes darkened. "Useful isn't safe."
Lucien stood, eyes blazing. "Neither am I."
He lunged—faster this time. The two clashed in a blur of steel and motion, sweat glistening, bodies too close. Kael pinned him, sword pressed to his collarbone.
Lucien's chest rose with sharp breaths. "Do it."
Kael's voice dropped. "Is that what you want?"
The sword lowered. Fingers brushed Lucien's cheek instead.
Kael leaned closer. "Because I'd rather protect you than hurt you."
Lucien didn't move. Didn't blink.
But his soul whispered in his mind, "He would die for you. Breakhim, and he'll still crawl back."
Lucien closed his eyes.
"I don't want to break anyone."
"Then you better start deciding who you're willing to bleed for," Kael said. "Because the Emperor is moving."
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2. Elias, Unforgiven
Deep in the Emperor's chambers, Elias stood before the throne of bone and black velvet.
"Priest of flame," the Emperor said coldly, "you walk into my court without permission."
"I don't need your permission to speak the truth," Elias answered.
Guards tensed. The Emperor raised a hand—ordering them still.
Elias stepped forward, voice unwavering. "Lucien is not your weapon. Not your experiment. He's a soul you've tried to destroy twice and failed both times."
"He is a threat to this empire."
"He is the empire," Elias snapped. "Or at least what's left of its soul."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Then he will be treated like any relic of power—bound, controlled, and, if needed, destroyed."
Elias laughed bitterly. "You fear him. You fear love. That's why you can't kill him outright. You know someone will always rise for him."
The Emperor stood, his power rippling through the air like a crack of thunder. "If you speak in riddles again, priest, I'll send your heart to the gods myself."
Elias smiled, dark and sure. "I don't serve your gods."
And he left—cloak burning faintly as he walked.
---
3. The Voice Inside
That night, Lucien stood at the edge of the garden pool, water glowing softly under the moonlight. He stared at his reflection. But it wasn't just him staring back.
It was Riven—the soul within.
"Why do you fight me?" the voice asked.
"Because I'm not you," Lucien whispered.
"You are. Or you will be."
Lucien felt the warmth of the soul slide across his skin, invisible but heavy, like silk and fire. His chest ached—part from exhaustion, part from something darker… longing.
"I remember him," Lucien said suddenly.
"Azrael."
"Yes. He betrayed us."
"And yet you loved him."
Lucien looked up. "Do you think I'll make the same mistake?"
"No," the voice said softly. "You'll make a new one."
Lucien touched the sigil. "What if I become you?"
"You won't," the voice said. "You'll become bothofus. Something new. Something worthy of the fire."