Chapter 229: The Weight of Power

Talen stood at the edge of the citadel's balcony, the cool night air brushing against his face. His violet eyes reflected the pale light of the moon as it hovered over the jagged peaks of the Darkspire Mountains. Below, the lights of the capital city flickered like a thousand tiny stars, mirroring the sky above.

Erynn's soft footsteps echoed behind him. He felt her presence before she spoke.

"You're thinking too loudly," she teased.

Talen's lips curled into a faint smile, but his gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "Is that so?"

Erynn stepped up beside him, her shoulder brushing against his. "Mm-hmm." Her emerald eyes softened as she studied his face. "What's on your mind?"

Talen exhaled, his breath curling in the cool night air. "Veyne was right."

Erynn's brow furrowed. "About what?"

"The power." Talen's hand tightened against the stone railing. "The relic… It's changing me. I can feel it." His violet eyes darkened. "When I was fighting Veyne, there was a moment… I almost killed him."

"You didn't," Erynn said softly.

"Because you stopped me." Talen's jaw tightened. "I wanted to kill him. I could feel the relic urging me to do it. If you hadn't spoken…"

"You would have stopped yourself," Erynn said gently.

Talen's gaze dropped to his hand. The veins beneath his skin pulsed faintly with violet light.

"I'm not so sure."

Erynn's hand slipped over his. Her fingers were warm despite the cold night.

"Talen." Her voice was steady. "You've always had power. This is no different."

Talen's gaze sharpened. "It is different. The relic isn't just some weapon. It's alive. It's… thinking. It's waiting."

"For what?"

"For me to let go." His eyes darkened. "To become what it wants me to be."

Erynn's hand tightened around his. "Then don't let it."

Talen's jaw clenched. "What if I can't?"

"Then I'll stop you." Her voice was calm. Certain.

Talen's eyes widened.

"I mean it," Erynn said. "If you lose yourself… I'll be there to pull you back. And if you fall too far…" Her eyes flashed. "I'll kill you myself."

A flicker of amusement crossed Talen's face. "Comforting."

Erynn smiled faintly. "You trust me, right?"

"With my life."

"Then trust me to save you."

Talen's gaze softened. He lifted her hand and brushed a kiss against her knuckles.

"I do."

Erynn's eyes lingered on him for a moment before she glanced toward the dark peaks in the distance. "We don't have much time."

Talen's gaze followed hers. In the distance, the dark silhouette of the Darkspire Mountains loomed over the horizon, jagged and sharp like the teeth of a great beast. Beyond those peaks lay the Void Gate — the ancient portal that had remained sealed for centuries. Until now.

"They're gathering," Erynn said quietly. "Scouts have reported increased activity at the base of the mountains. The Shadowborn are moving."

Talen's eyes narrowed. "Veyne's not done with us yet."

Erynn nodded. "And if the Council is backing him…"

"They'll send everything they have."

Solen's voice cut through the night air. "Then we'll be ready."

Talen turned as Solen approached from the corridor. His dark hair was tied back, and his silver-lined bow hung across his back. His golden eyes glinted beneath the moonlight.

"Veyne underestimated you once," Solen said. "He won't make that mistake again."

"I'm counting on it," Talen said.

Solen's gaze sharpened. "I've positioned scouts along the eastern ridge. If Veyne makes a move, we'll know."

Talen nodded. "Good." His gaze drifted back toward the mountains. "We'll need to be ready. The Shadowborn won't stop until the Void Gate is opened."

"And if it does open?" Solen's tone was dark.

Talen's hand curled into a fist. "Then we close it."

Erynn's eyes narrowed. "And if we can't?"

Talen's expression hardened. "We will."

A cool wind swept across the balcony, tugging at Erynn's dark hair. She studied Talen's face carefully.

"You're not planning to use the relic, are you?"

Talen didn't answer. His eyes glowed faintly beneath the moonlight.

"Talen."

He hesitated. "If it's the only way—"

"It's not." Erynn's voice was sharp.

Talen's gaze darkened. "You don't know that."

Erynn stepped in front of him, her hands against his chest. "Yes, I do."

Talen's breath hitched.

"You said you trust me," Erynn whispered. "So trust me now. There's always another way."

Talen's jaw tightened. His eyes burned beneath the weight of her gaze.

"Promise me," Erynn said. "Promise you won't give in to it."

Talen's heart hammered in his chest. He closed his eyes.

"I promise," he said finally.

Erynn's eyes softened. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Good."

Solen's voice cut through the silence. "We have company."

Talen's eyes snapped open. He turned toward the courtyard below.

Figures moved in the shadows, barely visible beneath the torchlight. Their dark cloaks twisted beneath the wind as they crept toward the entrance of the citadel.

Shadowborn.

Talen's hand drifted toward his sword. His violet eyes flared.

"They're testing us," Solen said.

Talen's gaze darkened. "Let's show them what happens when you test an Ascendant."

Erynn's daggers flashed in the moonlight as she drew them. Solen's bow creaked as he notched an arrow.

Talen stepped toward the edge of the balcony. His hand lifted, and the relic's energy stirred beneath his skin.

"Shall we?" Erynn's smile was sharp.

Talen's lips curled into a dangerous smile.

"We shall."

With a surge of violet energy, Talen leapt from the balcony. His sword flashed as he landed in the courtyard below.

The Shadowborn moved as one, dark blades rising.

Talen's eyes burned. He raised his sword, and the relic pulsed beneath his skin.

"Come on, then."

The Shadowborn surged toward him.

Talen smiled.