Chapter 227: The Council's Game

Talen stood before the towering gates of the capital, the weight of the relic pulsing faintly beneath his skin. The ancient stone walls loomed high above him, etched with sigils of protection and dominance. The Silver Guard flanked either side of him, their polished armor gleaming under the pale sunlight. Alara stood at the head of the formation, her silver hair catching the light like a blade.

"Remember," Alara said coldly, "you're being brought before the Council as a formality. They've already made their decision."

Talen's eyes narrowed. "Then why the show?"

Alara's gaze sharpened. "Because the Council values appearances above all else."

Erynn stood beside him, her hand brushing against his arm. She was dressed in dark leathers, her twin daggers strapped to her hips. Her emerald eyes were cold and calculating as they swept over the guards. Solen leaned casually against the wall a few feet away, his bow slung across his back. He gave Talen a faint smirk.

"Try not to make a scene," Solen said. "Unless you want to."

Talen smiled faintly. "Can't promise anything."

Alara's gaze darkened. "Enough." She nodded toward the gates. "It's time."

The massive iron gates groaned as they swung open, revealing the heart of the capital beyond. Marble streets stretched in neat patterns toward the grand spire at the center of the city—a symbol of the Council's power.

Talen's footsteps echoed against the stone as they passed beneath the archway. Citizens lined the streets, their expressions mixed with fear and curiosity. Whispers followed them, low and tense.

"Is that him?""The Void-touched?""The Council won't let him live."

Talen's jaw tightened.

Erynn's hand slipped into his. "Ignore them."

Talen's gaze stayed fixed on the marble steps of the Council Hall as they approached. A row of guards in crimson armor stood at attention on either side of the staircase, their spears gleaming in the sunlight.

Alara gestured toward the entrance. "Go on."

Talen ascended the steps slowly, his heart pounding. The doors swung open with a hollow creak, revealing the vast circular chamber beyond.

The Council Hall was massive, built from smooth white marble streaked with veins of gold and silver. A circular dais stood at the center, and seated in thrones of polished obsidian were the seven members of the Council. Their faces were hidden beneath dark hoods, but the air around them hummed with restrained magic.

At the head of the dais sat High Chancellor Veyne. His pale, narrow face was etched with cold precision, and his silver eyes glinted beneath the shadow of his hood. He rested his long fingers on the arm of his throne, regarding Talen with a calm, dangerous expression.

Talen's gaze sharpened.

"You've been summoned to answer for your actions," Veyne said. His voice was smooth and cold. "Do you understand why you stand before us?"

Talen's jaw tensed. "Because I wielded the power of the Void to protect this realm."

Veyne's gaze darkened. "You wielded forbidden power."

"To save your people," Talen said evenly.

Another councilor's voice echoed from the shadows. "The ends do not justify the means."

Talen's eyes flashed. "If I hadn't used the relic, the Void would have consumed this realm."

Veyne's lips curled into a thin smile. "Perhaps." He leaned forward slightly. "Or perhaps the threat of the Void was manufactured… to justify your ascension."

Talen's eyes narrowed. "You think I planned this?"

"The timing was convenient." Veyne's gaze sharpened. "And now you carry a relic infused with the Void's power. A power no mortal was meant to wield."

Talen's hand curled into a fist at his side. "I didn't ask for this."

"And yet you have it."

Talen's gaze darkened. "Would you rather I let the world burn?"

Veyne's pale lips curled slightly. "The problem is not that you saved the realm. The problem is that you've upset the balance of power."

Alara's voice cut through the tension. "Enough."

The councilors' eyes flicked toward her.

Alara stepped forward, her silver armor gleaming under the council's pale light. "Talen fought to protect this realm. He succeeded where others would have failed. He deserves to be commended—not condemned."

Veyne's gaze was sharp. "And yet… the power he wields now is dangerous."

Talen stepped forward, his voice cold. "And what would you have me do?"

Veyne's silver eyes gleamed. "Surrender the relic. Surrender the Void's power. Bind it with ancient magic."

Talen's eyes flashed. "And if I refuse?"

Veyne's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Then you will be declared a threat to the realm."

Erynn's hand drifted toward her dagger. "Try it."

Veyne's gaze lingered on her. "The Council does not make empty threats."

Talen's heart pounded. He could feel the relic pulsing beneath his skin, the dark energy shifting and stirring. The Void's power was not gone—it was awake, listening.

"Enough of this." Talen's voice was hard. "I've already made my choice."

Veyne's eyes narrowed. "Then speak it plainly."

Talen's gaze sharpened. "I will not surrender the relic."

Murmurs erupted around the chamber. The councilors' gazes sharpened beneath their hoods.

Veyne's smile thinned. "Then you leave us no choice."

Magic crackled through the air as the councilors rose from their thrones. The floor beneath Talen's feet glowed with crimson runes, the sigils twisting into a binding pattern.

"Talen!" Erynn's voice was sharp.

Talen's hand shot out as the power surged beneath his skin. The relic pulsed, dark light flashing across the marble floor. A barrier of energy exploded outward, shattering the binding sigils.

Veyne's eyes flashed. "Foolish."

Shadows coiled from the council's hands, curling through the air like black smoke.

Talen's chest tightened as the Void's power stirred within him. His hand curled into a fist, and dark energy pulsed at his fingertips.

"I'm not going to be controlled." His eyes glowed faintly with violet light. "Not by the Void. Not by you."

Veyne's eyes glinted. "Then you've sealed your fate."

The council's shadows shot toward Talen. He raised his hand, and dark energy erupted from his palm. A pulse of violet light shattered the shadows midair, sending a shockwave through the chamber.

Erynn's daggers flashed as she lunged toward the nearest guard. Solen's bow twanged, an arrow slicing through the air.

Talen's breath quickened as the power surged beneath his skin. His gaze met Veyne's.

"You wanted to see what the Void's power could do?" Talen's voice was cold. "Let me show you."

Veyne's expression sharpened. "Come then, Ascendant. Let us see if you are worthy of it."

Talen's eyes burned with dark light as the shadows curled around his hand. The chamber pulsed with power.

And then the fight truly began.