The first blade came without warning.
It sliced through the air, whistling past Aelric's cheek.
The second hit Caelum's sword—steel clashed against steel, sparks flying.
The third… didn't miss.
Lyria winced as a crimson dart grazed her arm. Poison. She barely managed to throw up a shield of mana.
And then they were surrounded.
"Twelve masked figures," Caelum muttered. "We're boxed in."
Aelric's eyes narrowed.
Their armor was light, movement fluid. These weren't street thugs or bandits.
They were trained.
Disciplined.
Deadly.
"Bleeding Circle," he said grimly.
One of the assassins stepped forward. A taller figure. Silver mask, gold trim—sign of a Circle Warden.
"You were warned not to follow the legacy, boy," the Warden said. Voice smooth. "But like your father, you disobey."
"You knew my father?" Aelric growled.
"I bled him," the Warden replied. "And I'll do the same to you."
Aelric didn't wait.
> [System Boost: Ashen Surge Activated]
Mana regeneration increased by 25% for 60 seconds.
His blade ignited with golden-red light as he charged.
Lyria covered him with wind spells, knocking back three assassins. Caelum parried two more.
But the Warden moved like shadow—fast, elegant, cruel.
Each swing of his twin daggers left trails of blood-red energy in the air.
Aelric parried once. Twice. On the third strike, the Warden's blade grazed his arm.
Pain seared through him.
> [System Alert: Poison Detected – Tier III. Initiating Purge...]
They fought across the rooftops, blades clashing under the moonlight.
Then, just as Aelric lunged for the killing blow—
A figure behind him shouted, "STOP!"
It was Lyria.
But not his Lyria.
Not the girl who saved him from a monster nest.
Not the one who laughed by the river and sparred beside the fire.
This Lyria… was holding her blade at Caelum's throat.
"What—" Aelric turned, stunned.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I tried. But you're too close to the truth."
She stepped away from Caelum, who was frozen in shock.
"I am Lyria of the 7th Fang. I was planted among the rebels three years ago. To watch. To wait."
The Warden lowered his blade, laughing softly. "You played your part well, sister."
"You were never supposed to get this far, Aelric," she said.
"But the monsters… they are not evil."
"They're forgotten gods. And they want their world back."
Aelric's hands trembled.
"You betrayed us."
"I believed in you," Caelum whispered.
"I still do," she said softly. "But you have to choose."
"Stand against the empires with the Fang…"
"Or die for a throne that was never yours."
Aelric looked down at his sword.
His father's blade.
He looked at the system menu flickering before him.
And he looked at her.
The girl who once made him laugh.
Now holding a dagger.
> [System Choice – Branching Path Detected]
1. Accept Lyria's Offer – Join the Cult of Fang and Flame
2. Reject the Fang – Fight Lyria and the Bleeding Circle
3. Defer – Stall for time and uncover more secrets
Aelric stared at the options.
His heart thundered.
The next choice… would change everything.