The dagger cut through the cavern air, fast and silent. Its blade caught the faint glow of glowing ore as it flew straight for Xander's chest. The tip was poisoned, aimed for his heart.
Xander did not panic.
War had trained him beyond fear. He felt the shift in the shadows. He sensed the change in the air. He caught the sharp scent of metal a heartbeat before the strike.
He moved.
His body twisted as shadows wrapped around him. The dagger passed through empty space and slammed into the cavern wall. Stone cracked. The poison hissed as it burned into the rock.
From a nearby alcove, someone stepped forward.
She moved like she belonged in the dark. Black cloth clung to her form, blending with the stone around her. She lowered her hood, revealing sharp features and short raven hair cut for purpose, not beauty. Her green eyes locked onto Xander, cold and curious.
She looked young.
Her stance said otherwise.
"Not bad," she said calmly. "Most targets die from the first throw." Her gaze hardened. "The stories were right, Dark Lord."
Lilith sprang to her feet, flames crawling up her arms.
"Who are you?" she snapped. "And how did you get in here?"
Elara raised her hand. Light spread across the cavern, washing over the intruder. Her voice stayed steady, but tense. "An assassin," she said. "Heavy with intent. Do not underestimate her."
The woman smiled faintly.
"Good," she said. "That usually means the hunt is worth it."
Xander stepped fully out of the shadows. His form solidified as darkness pulled back from his skin. He showed no anger. Only interest.
He walked to the wall and pulled the dagger free. The blade shimmered with poison. He studied it like a craftsman admiring work.
"Nightshade essence," he said. "Mixed with void ichor." He nodded once. "It would have killed most beings."
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the dagger back.
It landed at her feet without a sound.
"But you chose the wrong target," he said. "Who sent you?"
The assassin caught the blade as it bounced, her fingers closing around the hilt with ease. She rolled it once between her fingers before sliding it back into its sheath.
She stepped closer.
Every move was slow. Careful. Provoking.
"I don't choose lightly," she said. "I read everything they have on you." Her eyes sharpened."Xander Blackthorn. Soul-devourer. The monster that refused to stay sealed."
Her smile turned sharp.
"My employer wants you erased," she said. "Completely."
She paused, her eyes moving over him without shame.
"But now that I've seen you," she said, "I might rethink things."
Lilith reacted instantly. She stepped in front of Xander as fire rippled up her arms."Reconsider this," she snarled. "Take one more step, and I burn you to ash."
Sable laughed. The sound was light and easy as it echoed through the cavern. "Protective," she said. "I like that."
Her gaze slid past Lilith and settled on Elara. It lingered there for a moment. "And a fallen goddess," she added. "You keep dangerous company, Dark Lord."
Her eyes returned to Xander, sharp and focused.
"So," she said, lowering into a ready stance, "let's see if the legends are real."
She moved without warning.
Sable lunged, her body blurring with sudden speed. Twin blades snapped into her hands, their edges glowing with poison. She faked left, then cut right, driving straight for Xander's chest.
Shadows surged up to meet her. The blades struck the barrier in a burst of sparks, the clash ringing through the cavern. Sable laughed as she twisted away, flipping back as Xander countered. She hit the wall, kicked off it, and came back in without slowing.
"You move like shadow," Xander said, true interest in his voice.
Dark tendrils lashed out to trap her, but Sable twisted in midair and pushed off the stone, launching herself higher. She dropped down in a spinning strike, her boot brushing his shoulder. The hit was light. Testing.
Lilith charged, fire ripping from her hands in wide arcs. Sable slipped through the flames, the shifting light tracing her path.
"Stand still," Lilith growled. "Just once."
Elara raised her hand. Hard walls of light formed, cutting off escape paths. "Her speed is the danger," she said. "Break her flow."
Sable danced between fire and light, fast and playful. One blade slipped past Xander's guard and sliced his arm. The wound burned as poison spread. Then sealed as his flesh healed.
Sable raised a brow. "Regeneration too?" she said. "That's just unfair."
She flipped back and landed in a low crouch, breathing calm and steady.
Xander straightened.
The shadows answered.
Darkness flooded the cavern, rolling across stone before snapping tight around Sable. Tendrils pinned her wrists and ankles, holding her firm without crushing her.
"Enough," Xander said. "Who sent you?"
She tested the bindings once, then relaxed. Her green eyes gleamed with interest."A rival," she said. "Vortigern. Shadowed Spires. He heard you woke up and decided the future throne didn't need you."
She leaned forward as far as the shadows allowed, lowering her voice."He paid well," she added. "But I prefer picking my own wars."
Lilith crossed her arms, flames simmering. "You expect us to trust that?"
Elara studied Sable in silence before speaking. "She's telling the truth," she said. "But she is not bound to it."
Xander released the shadows and stepped back. "Then prove your intent," he said. "Stay with us. Your skills have value. In return, you gain protection, power, and opportunity."
He held out his hand.
Sable rolled her shoulders, rubbing her wrists as she looked at him. A slow smile spread across her face. "I don't kneel," she said. "But I am curious."
She took his hand. Her grip was firm, charged with held-back strength. "Deal," she said. "For now."
The cavern grew quiet as the tension faded. Sable slipped easily into their space, bold and unbothered, impossible to ignore.
But her words lingered.
A rival dark lord had noticed.
And far away, other shadows were already beginning to move.