Solene stared at the flickering candle on the wooden table. Its soft light danced across the walls of the small shack. She had kept her thoughts to herself for a long time, but now, with Kain watching her quietly, she felt the urge to speak. Maybe it was because he had helped her. Maybe because he didn't look at her like she was a monster.
She took a deep breath, her hands shaking. "I don't even know where to begin."
Kain leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Just start wherever you can," he said calmly. "I'm listening."
Solene paused, her hands curling into fists on her lap. "I wasn't always like this," she said quietly. "I lived a quiet life, working for Lira after I escaped this town. It wasn't perfect, but I was safe. Then everything changed."
Kain didn't say a word, just kept watching her.
"One night, I was out late. I saw something I shouldn't have. A high-ranking officer… he was killing a Hollow in the street."
Kain's jaw tightened. His fingers tapped his knee. "You're sure?"
She nodded. "I saw the blood. I saw him use magic to drain the Hollow's life like he had done it many times before." She rubbed her arms. "I ran. I knew if he saw me, I'd be next."
Kain cursed under his breath. "Then what happened? How did you end up in the arena?"
"They came for me a few days later. Dragged me away like I was nothing. Threw me into that nightmare of an arena where I was supposed to die." Her voice shook. "But I didn't. Something… changed in me."
Kain leaned forward, eyes wide. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know how, but I suddenly had power. Fire. I was just trying to survive, and then it happened. I wasn't the same anymore." She looked up at him, scared. "Kain, what am I?"
He ran a hand over his face. "Solene, I've seen a lot in my life. But I've never heard of a Hollow getting powers."
Her stomach twisted. "So I really am a monster."
"No," Kain said firmly. His voice was soft but serious. "You're not a monster. You're something this kingdom isn't ready for."
She laughed bitterly, wiping her eyes. "That's why they want me dead."
Kain was quiet for a moment, then said, "You need to stay hidden, until we figure this out."
Solene frowned. "And after that? What if I lose control again? What if I hurt someone?"
Kain looked her straight in the eye. "Then you learn to control it. You're not alone, Solene. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."
For a moment, she wanted to believe him. But deep down, she knew her nightmare was far from over.
Back in the Kingdom…
The grand hall of the palace was dim. Torches cast strange shadows on the golden pillars. King Malrik Draven sat on his throne, tapping his fingers on the armrest as he waited. His sharp gaze stayed on the doors until they opened, and Lady Verya Luthien walked in.
She moved with calm confidence. Her sharp armor reflected the torchlight. A strong and loyal warrior, she knelt before the king.
"Stand," Malrik said with clear impatience.
Verya stood. "My king, the girl… she's not like anyone we've seen before."
Malrik's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
"She stole the powers of our guards and sorcerers. She didn't just copy their magic, she made it stronger. We couldn't stop her."
The king gripped the armrest tightly. The metal groaned under his fingers. "But she escaped."
Verya nodded. "At first she was weak. But then… something changed. She got angry. Really angry. And she burned through everything. If we had sent more men, she would've just gotten stronger."
The room went silent. Her words hung heavy in the air.
Then, someone else entered.
The torches flickered as Dain Ravorel stepped into the hall.
He looked like a shadow come to life. His long, torn coat smelled of blood and dirt. His boots were covered in the dry stains of old battles. His face was scarred from many fights. His hollow, sunken eyes held a strange glow, not human, not Hollow. Something worse.
He knelt before the king. "Your Majesty."
Malrik watched him with cold approval. "Dain. You've proven your worth, despite where you come from."
Dain smiled, showing stained teeth. "And I'll keep proving it, my King."
Malrik leaned forward. "I have a new task for you. A girl, Solene. She's not a normal Hollow. She has powers. Find her. Bring her to me. Dead or alive."
Dain tilted his head, like he enjoyed the idea. "A Hollow… with powers?" He chuckled. "Now that's interesting."
Verya said nothing but watched him closely. She had seen Dain in battle. He had no mercy, not even for his own kind. If anyone could catch Solene, it was him.
"Do not fail me," the king said, voice low and dangerous.
Dain grinned, his fingers twitching like he was already hunting. "I never do."
Days Later…
Solene's wounds began to heal under Kain's care. He wasn't a magic healer, but he knew how to treat injuries. He cleaned her wounds, wrapped them carefully, and made sure she ate.
The shack was small and cold, but for once, she wasn't running. Kain kept a fire going every night. She had slept in worse places.
One night, after they ate in silence, Solene sat on the edge of the bed, staring into the fire. Kain leaned against the wall, sharpening a dagger. The soft scrape of metal filled the quiet.
She hesitated. "There's… something you should see."
Kain stopped. His eyes met hers.
She turned her back to him and pulled down the loose fabric of her tunic, showing the sigil.
Even in the dim light, it glowed faintly, strange and beautiful. It looked like stars in the sky, but there was power in it. It seemed to shift and move under his gaze.
He didn't speak right away. Then, in a quiet voice, he said, "What… is that?"
"I don't know," she said. "It appeared when I fought. When the fire came."
Kain reached out, but stopped just before touching it. The air around it felt charged, like a storm. He pulled his hand back and clenched his fist.
His face looked serious, but his eyes held something else. Awe. Then, he laughed softly, almost to himself.
"If you ever defeat the king," he said, shaking his head, "I'll worship you. Serve you. Do whatever you ask."
Solene turned to him, pulling her tunic back up. "You really think I can?"
Kain smirked. "If there's even a small chance, I want to be there when it happens." He spun his dagger in his hand, eyes bright. "Starting tomorrow, I'm going to train you. You need more than fire. You need real skill. A warrior's skill."
Solene let out a shaky breath. Her chest felt tight, but not with fear, with something warm. Someone wasn't afraid of her. He wasn't running. He wasn't trying to hurt her.
She nodded.