The sun was setting, casting an eerie, orange glow over the ruined city of Eldrath. The air was thick with the scent of ash and dust, a bitter reminder of the wars that had scarred the land. Kael stood at the edge of a crumbling tower, staring out at the desolate landscape, the weight of his thoughts heavier than the armor he wore.
His fingers brushed the hilt of his sword, the metal worn and chipped, much like the man who wielded it. He hadn't chosen this life. But somewhere along the way, fate had dragged him into a world that seemed to always demand more more blood, more sacrifices, more power. And now, the Rune-Stones, ancient and dangerous, were calling to him, their power whispering promises of both salvation and damnation.
He wanted nothing to do with them.
But it wasn't a choice anymore. The Rune-Stones were out there, and if he didn't find them first, someone else would. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to use them for their own gain.
A rustling sound broke his train of thought. Liora emerged from the shadows, her fiery hair catching the last rays of sunlight. She was always like that, a burst of light in the darkness, both fierce and fragile. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, met his.
"Kael," she said, her voice low but steady. "You're still here."
He didn't answer right away, instead shifting his weight and glancing over at her. "I'm thinking," he muttered.
"About what?" she asked, her brow furrowed. "More excuses to delay this? To pretend you're not the one who's supposed to stop Alden?"
Kael's jaw tightened at the mention of his old friend's name. Alden had been like a brother once. But now? Now, he was something else entirely a man driven by ambition, consumed by power. Kael could still see his face, twisted in the flames of their last confrontation. The betrayal. The anger.
"You think I don't know?" Kael finally snapped, turning to face her. "You think I don't understand the stakes? But I'm not ready to be the hero. Not like this. Not like Alden."
Liora's gaze softened, but only for a moment. "No one's asking you to be a hero. Just do what's right."
Kael shook his head, frustration bubbling up inside him. "You think it's that easy? Right and wrong... it's not so simple. Not anymore."
She stepped closer, her voice a quiet challenge. "Then what? You're just going to walk away?"
Kael clenched his fists, the words bitter on his tongue. "I don't know. Maybe I should."
Liora's eyes darkened, a flicker of something fear, maybe crossing her face. But she didn't let it show. Instead, she crossed her arms, studying him.
"You can't walk away from this, Kael," she said, her tone firm. "You're already in it. And so am I. You can either fight with us, or against us. But you can't just stand here, waiting for the world to decide for you."
The wind howled through the ruins, carrying the distant echo of a battle that had yet to be won. Kael closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady his racing thoughts. He couldn't do this alone. And deep down, he knew he couldn't run forever.
"I'm not ready," he whispered.
"Then get ready," Liora replied, her voice steady and unwavering. "Because if you don't, the storm will come for us all."
And in that moment, Kael realized something. The storm had already begun.