The city was no longer safe.
Arin could feel it the moment he stepped back onto the streets.
The air was wrong—too quiet, too heavy. Doors were shut. Windows barred. Even the market, usually alive with noise, stood eerily empty.
Only the distant ringing of warning bells remained.
Elara walked beside him, her cloak drawn tight.
"The Order of Veils does not announce itself unless it is certain," she murmured.
Arin's grip tightened around the pendant beneath his tunic.
"So they're certain they'll find me."
Elara's eyes flickered toward him.
"They always do."
Arin swallowed hard.
They turned into a narrow alley leading toward the western quarter, where Elara said they could hide temporarily.
But as they walked…
Arin felt something.
A presence.
Not ahead.
Behind.
He stopped suddenly.
Elara glanced back. "What is it?"
Arin's voice was low.
"We're being followed."
Before Elara could respond—
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Then—
THUD!
A blade struck the stone wall inches from Arin's head.
Arin jumped back, heart hammering.
From the rooftops above, cloaked figures appeared.
Black masks.
Silver markings.
Eyes like cold glass.
Order of Veils.
Elara cursed under her breath.
"They found us already…"
Arin's breathing became ragged.
"How?!"
The leader stepped forward, voice smooth and cruel.
"The pendant calls louder than you think, heir."
Arin backed away.
Elara raised her hands, a faint glow gathering in her palms.
"Run, Arin!"
But before Arin could move—
Another voice spoke from behind.
A familiar voice.
"Don't bother running."
Arin froze.
He turned slowly.
And his blood turned to ice.
Standing at the mouth of the alley was—
Otto.
The same Otto who had walked beside him since the beginning.
The same Otto who had laughed with him, shared bread with him, sworn loyalty.
Arin's voice cracked.
"…Otto?"
Otto's expression was unreadable.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Elara's face hardened.
"So it's true."
Arin stepped forward, shaking his head.
"No… no, you wouldn't—"
Otto's jaw clenched.
"I didn't have a choice."
The Order leader chuckled.
"Oh, he had a choice. He simply chose survival."
Arin's chest tightened like it was being crushed.
"You told them where I was…"
Otto looked away.
"They would've killed my family," he whispered.
Arin's hands trembled.
"So you handed me over instead?"
Silence.
The betrayal hurt more than the blades.
Elara's voice cut through the moment like steel.
"Arin. Now."
The pendant suddenly pulsed.
Hard.
Fast.
Like it was awake.
The masked figures stepped closer.
The leader raised his hand.
"Take him."
The Order lunged.
Elara unleashed a wave of light, blasting two of them back.
Arin stumbled, panic surging—
Then something deep inside him snapped.
The pendant burned hot.
His vision blurred.
Shadows gathered at his feet like smoke.
The air around him twisted.
The nearest Veil soldier swung a sword—
But Arin raised his hand instinctively.
The shadows moved.
WHAM!
The soldier was thrown backward, crashing into the wall.
Everyone froze.
Even Elara.
Arin stared at his own hand.
"I… I did that…"
The Order leader's voice turned sharp.
"The pendant is awakening faster than expected."
Otto's eyes widened.
"Arin…"
Arin turned toward him, face pale.
"You betrayed me."
Otto's voice shook.
"I'm sorry!"
But Arin wasn't listening anymore.
He wasn't sure he could.
Elara grabbed Arin's arm.
"We leave. Now!"
She pulled him toward a narrow passage between buildings.
The Order soldiers regrouped, shouting.
"After them!"
Arin glanced back once.
Otto stood in the alley, frozen.
Torn between guilt and fear.
Their eyes met.
And for a moment, Arin saw it—
Regret.
Then Elara yanked him forward, and the city swallowed them into darkness.
Thank you for reading Chapter 7 of Legacy of the Shadow Throne!
Otto's betrayal changes everything… and Arin's powers are beginning to awaken.
Stay tuned for Chapter 8 — The Hidden Library is coming next!
Do you think Otto deserves forgiveness?.