Rebels at the Gates

The shadows that once offered protection now seemed to suffocate the castle, as though the very kingdom could sense the impending battle. The disturbing vision Elysiel had recently endured still haunted her, but there was no time for second-guessing or regrets. The rebels from the underworld were at the gates.

Elysiel felt the cold wind blowing through the castle's tall windows. The few fairies still loyal to her rushed through the halls, preparing for the approaching clash. Seraphis stood beside her, watching the activity with a disturbing calm, as if the rebels' attack was merely a formality. Yet, there was an ominous intensity in his gaze that Elysiel could not ignore.

She knew these underworld rebels were not an ordinary threat. They hadn't come merely to invade her kingdom; they had come to sever the bond between her and Seraphis—the very link that kept Elandor standing, but also threatened its existence. The doubt that had plagued Elysiel since her vision still burned inside her, but at this moment, survival was the only priority.

Seraphis turned to her, his red eyes gleaming with a silent promise of power. — They are near. — he murmured, his voice low and hypnotic. — But we are ready. Don't let fear weaken your power, Elysiel. This battle is only the beginning.

Elysiel clenched her fists, feeling the tension in her muscles. She knew that Seraphis's power coursed through her veins, but what she feared now wasn't just the rebels—it was what this power was transforming within her. Her visions had warned her of the destruction this path could lead to. But now, there was no room for hesitation. If she did not fight, Elandor would be destroyed by the very enemies seeking to tear her down.

— I'm ready. — Elysiel replied, trying to convince herself as much as Seraphis.

Seraphis smiled faintly, pleased with her answer. He knew that, despite her doubts, Elysiel could not resist the allure of power for long. The shadows around the castle began to stir, responding to Seraphis's silent command. The war in the shadows was about to begin.

Outside the walls of Elandor, the underworld rebels advanced. Their grotesque forms moved like a mass of living darkness, their eyes glowing with an ancient, vengeful fury. Draven, the leader of the revolt, stood at the front, his yellow eyes locked on the castle. He knew the key to defeating Seraphis was to destroy Elysiel—break the bond that united them. He had planned everything carefully, making sure that Arabella wouldn't figure out his real intentions.

— Attack without mercy. — Draven ordered, his voice echoing through the ranks of rebels. — We will break their power and take what is ours.

The attack began with brutal force. The rebels, skilled in manipulating shadows, swarmed the defenses of Elandor, trying to shatter the magical barriers protecting the castle. The fairies still fighting for Elysiel were outnumbered but stood their ground with determination, knowing their kingdom's survival depended on this battle.

Elysiel was on the front lines, her wings glowing faintly, as though they were battling the darkness now enveloping the battlefield. She felt Seraphis's power within her, fortifying her, but also sensed something else—a destructive force, a hunger that threatened to consume her.

— They're trying to break the bond. — Seraphis said beside her, his voice cold and emotionless. — Do not let them touch you, Elysiel. You are the key.

Elysiel fought with all her might, wielding the fairy magic she still possessed, but also summoning the darkness Seraphis had given her. Each of her movements was a reflection of the dark power that flowed between them, and while the rebels could not breach her defenses, they advanced with relentless ferocity.

The attacks grew more intense. The shadows of the rebels took on distorted forms, striking with blades made of pure darkness. The fairies defending the castle were quickly being overwhelmed. Despite her strength, Elysiel felt the weight of the battle pressing down on her.

That was when Draven made his move.

With astonishing speed, Draven lunged toward Elysiel. His power was unlike that of the other rebels. He was directly connected to the ancient forces of the underworld, giving him a deadly advantage. As he approached, the clash of their powers caused the shadows around them to explode in all directions.

— You are lost, Elysiel. — Draven hissed, his shadowy blades dancing around her. — But I will free you from this bond before it destroys everything. Seraphis is no savior. He will consume everything.

Elysiel tried to counterattack, but Draven was too fast. He struck her shoulder, his shadow blade cutting through her flesh effortlessly. Elysiel screamed in pain, feeling warm blood trickle down her arm. The wound wasn't just physical—she could feel something inside her tearing. Draven wasn't just attacking her body; he was targeting her connection with Seraphis.

In that instant, Seraphis appeared by Elysiel's side, his presence engulfing the battlefield like a storm of shadows. His eyes burned with a dark glow, and for the first time, Elysiel saw something in him she had never seen before: a primordial, uncontrollable power.

With a simple gesture, Seraphis raised his hand, and the shadows around them responded with devastating force. Draven's blades were destroyed in an instant, and he was hurled backward, his shadowy form dissipating like smoke. But the power Seraphis unleashed was unlike anything Elysiel had ever felt before.

He was no longer just using the shadows. He was the darkness itself.

— No one touches what is mine. — Seraphis said, his voice reverberating with undeniable authority.

Elysiel, still gasping and wounded, looked at Seraphis with a mixture of relief and fear. He had saved her, but in doing so, he had revealed a power she had never imagined. A power that was dangerous, even for him.

The shadows around Seraphis swirled like a furious storm as he advanced on Draven, who could barely stand. With a single movement, Seraphis trapped Draven in the shadows, his overwhelming force suffocating the rebel leader.

— You think you can break our bond? — Seraphis hissed, his voice colder than ice. — You have no idea what we are.

Draven tried to fight back, but Seraphis's shadows were too powerful. In an instant, he was destroyed, his form dissolving into dark dust. The remaining rebels, witnessing the fall of their leader, hesitated and began to retreat.

Elysiel, still clutching her wounded shoulder, felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. The battlefield was eerily silent, except for the sound of the shadows still swirling around Seraphis.

But she knew something had changed. The power Seraphis had revealed, the power he had used to save her, was darker, more destructive than she had ever imagined.

— Seraphis… what have you done? — she whispered, still feeling the echo of his power pulsing around them.

He turned to her, his gaze intense but eerily calm.

— I protected what is ours, Elysiel. — he said, stepping closer. — And now, nothing can stop us.