Chapter 226: Whispers of Power

Talen stood at the edge of the valley, his hands resting on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. His chest burned with exhaustion, and his vision swam. The ground beneath his feet was scorched from the aftermath of the clash with the Void. Wisps of dark smoke curled upward from the cracks in the earth, fading into the chill morning air.

Erynn knelt beside him, her hand resting lightly on his back. "You're pushing too hard."

Talen shook his head. "Had no choice."

Erynn's gaze darkened. "It's still inside you, isn't it?"

Talen's eyes met hers. The violet hue that had flickered in his irises during the battle was still faintly present. He could feel the Void's residue clinging to his soul like a shadow he couldn't shake.

"It's not gone," he admitted.

Erynn's jaw tightened. "Then we need to figure out how to get it out of you."

Solen approached, his boots crunching against the gravel. He was nursing a cut on his forearm, his bow slung across his back. "Not sure that's possible, Erynn."

Erynn's eyes flashed. "We don't give up that easily."

Solen gave her a lopsided smile. "I admire the optimism."

Lady Alara's sharp voice cut through the air. "Enough."

They turned to see Alara standing a few paces away, flanked by the Silver Guard. Her silver hair was tousled, and her polished armor was scratched from the battle. Her hand was resting on the hilt of her sword, and her eyes were cold and assessing.

"You claimed it was over," Alara said icily. "And yet you stand here, still connected to that… thing."

Talen straightened, the relic still pulsing faintly in his hand. "We closed the rift. That's what matters."

Alara's gaze narrowed. "For now."

Solen stepped forward, wiping blood from his lip. "You're welcome, by the way."

Alara's eyes darkened. "Do not mistake survival for victory. The corruption may be gone from the valley, but its source remains tied to him." Her gaze fixed on Talen. "That makes you a threat."

Erynn's hand shot to the hilt of her dagger. "Watch your mouth."

Alara's gaze sharpened. "Careful."

Talen stepped between them. "She's not wrong."

Erynn's eyes widened. "Talen—"

"I can feel it," he said. "The Void's power. It's not trying to control me anymore… but it's still there."

Alara's expression was calculating. "Then the Council will want to see you."

Talen's shoulders stiffened. "The Council?"

Alara nodded. "You've wielded forbidden magic. The Council will not ignore that."

Solen scoffed. "After all we've done, they still want to put him on trial?"

Alara's gaze darkened. "This isn't about fairness. It's about power. Talen's connection to the Void makes him dangerous. The Council will not let that stand."

Erynn's hand tightened on Talen's arm. "Then we'll fight them."

Talen shook his head. "No."

Erynn's eyes flared. "Talen—"

He turned toward her. "We can't fight the Council. Not now."

"You're seriously going to let them take you?"

"If we resist, they'll see it as proof that I've been corrupted."

"And if you don't resist?" Solen asked.

Talen's gaze darkened. "Then they'll find a way to bind me or kill me."

Alara's eyes flashed with cold steel. "The Council will decide your fate."

Talen's heart pounded. The power inside him surged beneath his skin, dark and coiled, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. He took a steady breath, forcing it down.

"Then let them decide," he said quietly.

Erynn's eyes widened in disbelief. "Talen—"

"I'm not going to fight them," Talen said. "But I'm not going to let them control me either."

Alara's gaze sharpened. "Careful with your defiance. The Council's patience is not endless."

Talen smiled faintly. "Neither is mine."

Alara's lips thinned. "The Silver Guard will escort you to the capital. You'll have two days to prepare."

"And if I refuse?" Talen asked.

Alara's gaze sharpened. "Then you will be taken by force."

Talen's hand flexed at his side. He could feel the relic's energy shifting beneath his skin, responding to the tension in the air.

Erynn's eyes were fierce. "You won't take him without a fight."

Alara's gaze met hers, unyielding. "You wouldn't win."

Solen's hand drifted toward his bow. "Wouldn't be the first time we've beaten the odds."

Alara's mouth twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. "That would be interesting to see."

Talen stepped forward, raising his hand between them. "Enough."

Alara's gaze lingered on him for a long moment before she nodded. "Two days."

Without another word, she turned and strode toward her guards. They parted as she passed, following her down the rocky path toward the valley below.

Solen exhaled slowly. "Well, that's not ominous at all."

Talen rubbed the back of his neck. "This… might get complicated."

Erynn's hand brushed his arm. "Then we'll figure it out."

Talen smiled faintly. "Together?"

Erynn's gaze softened. "Always."

Solen grinned. "Well, as long as you two are done making eyes at each other, we've got two days to prepare for a political execution."

Talen gave him a dry look. "Appreciate the optimism."

Solen shrugged. "Just calling it like I see it."

Erynn's expression sharpened. "We're not letting them take him."

Talen's smile faded. "If it comes to that…"

"It won't," Erynn said firmly.

Talen wished he could share her confidence. He could feel the Void stirring beneath his skin. The relic was no longer just a source of power—it was a tether. And somewhere beyond the veil of reality, the remnants of the Void's essence were watching.

Waiting.

Later that night, Talen stood on the balcony of the small inn they had taken shelter in. The cool night air brushed his skin, and the stars above shone dimly through the thin clouds.

Erynn stepped up beside him, her hair loose around her shoulders.

"You okay?" she asked.

Talen's gaze remained on the sky. "No."

Erynn slipped her hand into his. "We'll get through this."

Talen's fingers tightened around hers. "And if we don't?"

Erynn smiled faintly. "Then we'll burn it all down."

Talen's lips curled into a small smile. "You've got a dangerous side."

"You bring it out in me."

Talen kissed her hand. "Two days."

Erynn's eyes sharpened. "That's more than enough time to change the game."

Talen's eyes darkened as the stars above flickered faintly. The shadow within him pulsed.

"Let's hope so."