Outcast

The heavy doors to the Council chamber burst open with a deafening thud as Aelor stormed in, rain dripping from his soaked robes and golden hair. His chest heaved with fury, and his sharp gaze pierced the assembled Council members, who turned toward him in startled silence. Behind him, Aldric and Rylan entered in haste, both equally drenched from the downpour, their faces a mix of concern and determination.

Aelor strode to the Council's table and slammed his hands down on its polished surface, water pooling beneath his fingers. "Who gave the order?" he demanded, his voice sharp as steel. "Who decided to take Kaelen back to the Church without consulting me—or anyone else?"

The Council members, seated in their ornate chairs, exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, one of the elder elves, a woman with silver hair and an air of authority, leaned forward. "It was a unanimous decision," she said coldly. "A vampire in Aldoria, in such close proximity to our people, is a betrayal of everything we stand for. Their kind have murdered our ancestors, destroyed our homes, and brought untold grief. How can you expect us to allow one to roam freely among us?"

Aelor's glare intensified. "Kaelen is not 'their kind.' He has done nothing to harm anyone here. In fact, he's risked his life to protect me—and this land. How dare you condemn him for crimes he didn't commit?"

The Councilwoman narrowed her eyes. "You're blinded by your emotions, Aelor. We are thinking of the safety of Aldoria. Your personal attachment to this creature clouds your judgment."

"Personal attachment?" Aelor snapped, his voice rising. "This is about justice! You had no right to decide his fate behind closed doors without presenting any evidence of wrongdoing. Kaelen has done nothing to deserve this treatment!"

Aldric, standing a few paces behind Aelor, crossed his arms and stepped forward. "I agree with Aelor," he said firmly. His voice carried the weight of a warrior who had seen far too many battles to tolerate injustice. "The Council claims to value fairness, yet you act out of fear and prejudice. If Kaelen were truly a threat, wouldn't there be proof by now? Or is this just about holding onto old grudges?"

The room fell into tense silence, the Council members visibly uncomfortable with Aldric's words. Rylan, who had remained quiet until now, placed a gentle hand on Aelor's shoulder and stepped forward, his usual calm demeanor now tinged with quiet fury.

"This decision," Rylan began, his voice steady, "is not only unjust—it's cowardly. The goddess of the moon teaches us compassion and understanding, yet here you are, condemning an innocent soul simply because he does not fit into your idea of what is safe. You speak of protecting Aldoria, but how can we protect what we love if we lose our own integrity?"

The elder Councilman, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Enough," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "This is not a debate. The decision has been made."

Aelor straightened, his fists trembling at his sides. "If you won't revoke this order," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "then I will do whatever it takes to protect Kaelen myself. Even if it means standing against the Council."

Gasps rippled through the room at his bold declaration, but Aelor didn't flinch. His golden eyes blazed with determination, and his heart pounded with the conviction of his words.

"You cannot defy the Council," the elder warned, his tone sharp. "You risk everything."

"I'll risk it all for him," Aelor shot back. "Because he's worth it."

The elder Councilman's voice boomed across the chamber, resolute and unyielding. "Even if you claim to risk everything for him, Aelor, Kaelen cannot come back to Aldoria. His very existence is a threat, and we will not allow this land's safety to be compromised. If he attempts to leave, we will capture him and ensure he is dealt with accordingly. And you…" He leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You are forbidden to venture out alone. We cannot risk losing one of our own."

Aelor straightened, his defiance unwavering. "You won't have to worry about that," he said, his voice steady but filled with conviction. "Kaelen and I are bound."

The Council members froze, their shocked expressions spreading like wildfire through the chamber. Gasps echoed, and murmurs of disbelief filled the air.

"What nonsense is this?" one of the Councilwomen finally demanded. "Bound? Do you even understand what you're claiming, Aelor?"

Aelor's golden gaze held firm. "I understand perfectly. Kaelen and I mated with each other."

The room erupted into chaos. Council members rose from their seats, shouting over each other in disbelief and outrage. Aldric, standing off to the side, smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the wall. "Well, this just got interesting," he muttered, clearly entertained.

Rylan, on the other hand, blushed furiously, his cheeks glowing as he stammered, "M-Mated? Aelor, you—"

The elder Councilman slammed his staff against the ground, silencing the commotion. His face was a mask of disbelief and simmering anger. "Do you understand what you've done, Aelor? This bond is not just a trivial commitment—it ties your fates together, for better or worse. If he falls, you fall. And if you fall, we lose one of our brightest protectors."

"I know exactly what it means," Aelor replied, his voice unwavering. "And I accept the consequences. I love him, and nothing you say will change that."

A tense silence filled the room, the weight of Aelor's declaration hanging heavily in the air.

The Council chamber fell into a heavy silence after the elder Councilman's final words. "If you insist on defying our will, Aelor," he said, his voice cold and unyielding, "then you leave us no choice. From this day forth, you are no longer of Aldoria. You are no longer our son, bound to us by blood or duty. Wherever you go, you will be an outcast—forsaken by the very people you swore to protect."

Aelor stood frozen for a moment, the weight of their words sinking in. But then he squared his shoulders, his resolve shining through. "If that is your decision," he said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his heart, "then so be it. I'll choose love over fear. Always."

Without another word, Aelor turned and walked out of the chamber, leaving behind the only home he had ever known.

---

Back at his cabin, Aelor moved with purpose, packing his belongings into a small satchel. The sky outside was a dull gray, as if reflecting the storm within his heart. He wiped at his eyes furiously, though tears still streamed down his face. "Kaelen needs me," he muttered to himself. "He doesn't deserve to be alone."

The cabin door creaked open, and Rylan stepped inside, followed closely by Aldric. Both looked visibly shaken.

"Aelor…" Rylan's voice was soft, almost hesitant. He stepped forward, his usual composure breaking as he embraced his friend tightly. "You don't have to do this alone. It's dangerous out there. You could die—"

"I'll die if I stay," Aelor whispered, his voice muffled against Rylan's shoulder. "I can't live without him, Rylan. I won't."

Rylan pulled back slightly, his hands gripping Aelor's shoulders. His eyes were glassy with unshed tears. "I'm proud of you, you know? You're brave to choose this, even if it means losing everything."

Aelor let out a choked sob, burying his face in Rylan's chest as the weight of the situation finally crashed over him. "I didn't want to lose all of you," he admitted. "But Kaelen… he's my heart. I can't let him be taken away. Not again."

Aldric, leaning casually against the doorframe, cleared his throat. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, though his usual smirk was absent. His expression was thoughtful, almost somber. "But you're not doing this alone. Rylan and I—we've got your back, even if the rest of Aldoria doesn't."

Aelor blinked up at him, surprised. "But the Council—"

"Forget the Council," Aldric interrupted. "They've lost sight of what's right. You? You haven't. And that's worth fighting for."

Rylan nodded, squeezing Aelor's hand reassuringly. "We'll help you find Kaelen, Aelor. You're not alone in this."

Fresh tears spilled down Aelor's cheeks, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. He embraced Rylan once more, his heart swelling with hope. "Thank you," he whispered. "Both of you."

Aldric shrugged, his lips quirking into a faint smile. "Don't thank me yet. We've got a long road ahead, and I'm sure your vampire friend isn't exactly thrilled about the welcoming party coming his way."

Aelor laughed weakly, wiping at his eyes. "Kaelen will understand. He has to."

With his satchel packed and his friends by his side, Aelor took a deep breath and stepped out into the open air. The journey to Crelvaris would be long and perilous, but he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

For love. For Kaelen. For the chance to reclaim what truly mattered.