Chapter 228: The Shadow War

Darkness clashed with light as the Council Hall trembled beneath the weight of unrestrained magic. Violet energy crackled through the air, twisting against the obsidian shadows conjured by the councilors. Talen's breath came hard and fast, his hand raised as tendrils of Void energy lashed out, colliding with the dark spells hurled toward him.

High Chancellor Veyne stood at the head of the council, his silver eyes gleaming beneath his hood. His hands were outstretched, weaving intricate sigils in the air that pulsed with deep crimson light. The runes curled toward Talen, seeking to bind him.

Talen's eyes flashed as he raised his hand. The Void energy pulsed beneath his skin, responding instantly. A wave of dark light surged outward, shattering the crimson sigils midair.

"Impressive," Veyne said coldly. "But not enough."

Veyne's hands blurred as he unleashed a barrage of shadows. The tendrils curled and twisted, forming jagged spears of obsidian.

Talen's eyes narrowed. His hand shot forward, and the relic beneath his skin pulsed in response. A wall of violet light erupted in front of him, absorbing the dark spears and scattering them into mist.

Behind him, Erynn's daggers flashed as she engaged one of the council's guards. She moved with lethal precision, her blades a blur of silver as she danced between attacks. Solen's bow thrummed behind her, his arrows striking with pinpoint accuracy.

A guard lunged toward Erynn's back.

"Behind you!" Talen shouted.

Erynn pivoted sharply, her dagger slicing across the guard's throat in a single fluid motion. The man crumpled to the ground.

"Thanks," Erynn said, flashing him a fierce smile.

Talen's gaze sharpened as he turned back toward Veyne. The High Chancellor was already weaving another spell, his hands moving with practiced grace. The air around him shimmered with dangerous energy.

"You cannot win this fight," Veyne said. "The Council has ruled for centuries. We are the balance. The power you wield threatens that balance."

Talen's expression darkened. "Then maybe the balance was wrong."

Veyne's eyes narrowed. "So be it."

He thrust his hands forward, and black tendrils of shadow magic erupted from his fingertips. The air screamed as the tendrils lashed toward Talen like whips.

Talen raised his hand, and the relic responded with a pulse of violet light. A shield of dark energy flared into existence around him, intercepting the tendrils. They shattered against the barrier in a spray of sparks.

But Veyne was already moving. He appeared at Talen's side in a blur of shadows, his hand outstretched toward Talen's chest.

"Void Bind!" Veyne's voice echoed through the hall.

Crimson chains erupted from the floor, wrapping around Talen's wrists and ankles. Pain flared through his limbs as the chains pulsed with dark energy.

Talen's breath hissed through his teeth. He strained against the bindings, but the chains tightened.

Veyne's cold gaze lingered over him. "You are not ready for this power. And you will not live long enough to master it."

Talen's jaw clenched. He could feel the relic thrumming beneath his skin, the Void energy stirring.

"Give in."

The voice was soft. Familiar.

"Release me."

Talen's heartbeat quickened.

"No." He growled under his breath.

"Why do you resist? They will kill you. Let me protect you."

Talen's eyes flashed violet. The relic's power surged beneath his skin, hot and dangerous. He could feel it pulsing, ready to be unleashed.

Veyne's hand rose, shadows twisting into a spear of pure darkness.

Talen's breath quickened.

"Let me in."

Talen closed his eyes. The relic pulsed.

And he let go.

Dark energy exploded outward from his body, shattering the crimson chains and sending Veyne stumbling backward. Talen's eyes snapped open, burning with violet light. The air around him darkened as tendrils of shadow curled from his fingertips.

"Talen—!" Erynn's voice was sharp.

Talen turned toward Veyne. His voice was calm. Cold.

"I warned you."

Talen's hand shot forward, and a wave of violet energy surged toward Veyne.

The High Chancellor's eyes widened as he raised his hands to form a barrier of crimson light. The dark energy slammed into the barrier, cracking it down the middle. Veyne's feet slid backward as the force pushed him toward the edge of the dais.

"You… have no idea what you're doing!" Veyne's voice trembled.

Talen's eyes glinted. "Don't I?"

He clenched his fist, and the relic's energy surged. The dark tendrils twisted through the air and wrapped around Veyne's throat, lifting him off the ground.

Veyne's eyes widened. His hands clawed at his throat.

"Talen!" Erynn's voice cut through the haze. "Stop!"

Talen's hand trembled. He could feel the relic's power twisting beneath his skin. He could feel the desire to crush Veyne's life force. To end this fight. To end him.

"Finish it."

Talen's breath hitched.

"He will kill you the moment you show mercy."

"Talen!" Erynn's voice was sharp.

Talen's eyes met hers.

Her emerald gaze was steady. Pleading.

"This isn't you," she said. "Don't let it take you."

Talen's breath slowed. His hand shook.

And then he released Veyne.

The High Chancellor fell to the floor, clutching his throat and gasping for air. He glared up at Talen with cold fury.

"You've made… a terrible mistake," Veyne rasped.

Talen's voice was steady. "No. The mistake was thinking I'd become you."

Veyne's gaze darkened. "This isn't over."

Talen stepped back, his hand still glowing with violet energy. "It is for now."

Guards swarmed the hall, weapons drawn. Solen's bow twanged, and an arrow embedded itself in the floor between them.

"Enough!" Solen's voice cut through the noise. "We're leaving."

Erynn stepped to Talen's side. "Talen?"

Talen's gaze lingered on Veyne for a long moment. Then he turned away.

"Let's go."

Erynn's hand slipped into his as they moved toward the exit. Solen followed, his bow still raised.

As the doors slammed shut behind them, Talen's hand tightened around Erynn's.

"You didn't let it take you," she whispered.

Talen's gaze darkened. "Not yet."