Kael's fingers brushed the shadow-crown—
And the world *split open.*
Darkness swallowed him whole.
For a heartbeat, there was nothing. No sound. No. No *self.* Just the void, stretching endlessly in every direction.
Then—
*"KAEL."*
The voice was not the Stormblade's. It was deeper. *Older.*
A presence loomed in the dark—something vast and hungry, its form shifting like smoke.
*"You are the key."*
Kael tried to speak, but his voice was gone.
*"The Stormblade is a cage. The crown is a door. And you..."*
A skeletal hand emerged from the blackness, hovering over his chest.
*"You are the lock."*
The hand *plunged* into him—
Kael *screamed*—
And then—
Light.
He was on his knees in the ruins, gasping, his hands clawing at his chest. The crown lay before him, its shadows coiled tight, as if waiting.
The Stormblade raged in his mind.
*"DON'T LISTEN TO IT!"*
Sera and Lysara were shouting, but their voices were muffled, distant.
Kael's vision swam.
His veins *burned.*
The crown's whisper slithered into his ear:
*"You want to save your sister? To make them all *pay*? Then put me on."*
Kael's fingers twitched.
*"Do it."*
Lysara grabbed his wrist. "Kael, *no*!"
Her touch was like ice against his fevered skin.
He blinked, the haze clearing just enough to see the horror in her eyes.
His arms—veins black as ink, pulsing with something *unnatural.*
The Stormblade hissed.
*"She fears you. They all do."*
Sera stepped forward, her bow drawn but not aimed—yet. "Listen to me, Stormblood. That crown isn't just a relic. It's a *parasite.*"
Kael's breath came in ragged gasps. **"Then why did Dain take it?"
"Because he was a fool,"** Sera spat. "And now he's *dead.*"
The crown's voice purred.
*"She lies. The crown *chooses.* And it chose *you.*"*
Kael's head pounded.
The Stormblade screamed.
Lysara's grip tightened. "Kael, please. *Fight it.*"
He wanted to.
But the whispers were so *loud.*
And the power—
It would be so *easy.*
Then—
A new sound cut through the chaos.
*BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.*
The ruins trembled.
Sera's face went pale. "Oh, hell."
Outside, the rhythmic *thud* of war drums shook the earth.
And then, a horn—long and mournful.
A sound Kael knew too well.
The Empire had brought reinforcements.
And they weren't here to negotiate.
A scout burst into the chamber, bloodied and breathless. "Commander Sera—the Empire's forces—they've surrounded the ruins!"
Sera snarled. "How many?"
The scout's voice broke. "Hundreds. And—"
Another horn. Closer this time.
The scout swallowed. "They have prisoners."
Kael's blood turned to ice.
*Mira.*
He staggered to his feet, the Stormblade's power flaring in his fists. "Where?"
The scout pointed to a crumbling archway leading to the upper terraces.
Kael didn't wait.
He ran.
Behind him, Lysara shouted, "KAEL, *WAIT*—"
But he was already gone.
The terrace overlooked the battlefield.
Empire soldiers stood in perfect formation, their armor gleaming under the sickly green light of alchemical torches.
At their center, a raised platform.
And on it—
Mira.
Alive. Bruised. But alive.
Beside her stood Commander Rykel, his sword resting against her throat.
Kael's lightning *roared.*
Rykel smiled. "Ah. There he is."
Kael's voice was raw. "Let. Her. Go."
Rykel chuckled. "Or what? You'll kill me?" He pressed the blade harder. A thin line of blood dripped down Mira's neck. "I don't think so."
Mira's eyes met Kael's.
And then—
She *smiled.*
A smile he hadn't seen since they were children.
The smile she used right before doing something *stupid.*
"Kael," she said softly. "Catch."
Then she *moved.*
Fast. Too fast.
Her elbow slammed into Rykel's ribs. His sword nicked her throat, but she didn't stop—twisting, she *yanked* something from his belt.
A small, silver key.
She *threw* it—
Straight at Kael.
Rykel bellowed, "STOP HER!"
A crossbow fired.
Kael *screamed*—
The bolt took Mira in the chest.
She fell.
The key *clattered* at Kael's feet.
The world *stopped.*
Kael didn't remember moving.
One second, he was on the terrace.
The next, he was *among them.*
Lightning *exploded* from his body, turning soldiers to ash. The Stormblade *howled* in triumph, its power merging with his rage.
Rykel stumbled back, his face white with fear. "Kill him! *KILL HIM NOW!*"
But it was too late.
Kael was *already there.*
His hand closed around Rykel's throat.
The commander choked. "You—you don't understand—"
Kael *squeezed.*
"I understand *enough.*"
Then—
A whisper.
*"Kael..."*
Mira.
Still alive. Barely.
Kael dropped Rykel, falling to his knees beside her.
Her fingers trembled as she pressed the key into his palm. "The third relic... it's not what you think..."
Blood bubbled at her lips.
Kael's vision blurred. "Mira—"
She gripped his hand. "The key... opens *you.*"
Then her eyes went still.
Kael *screamed.*
And the Stormblade *answered.*