Beasts And Betrayal

The sound of the crash still echoed through the castle walls as Kael's heart raced. His instincts screamed at him to move, to prepare for whatever was coming. His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, but before he could speak, the king raised his hand, signaling for silence.

"Stay calm," the king's voice rang out, though his mask betrayed no emotion. "They're here."

Kael's eyes scanned the room, his mind already calculating. He knew the Shadow Guild's reputation ruthless, cunning, and capable of anything. They had attacked his village, targeting him for reasons he still didn't understand. And now they had found their way to the king's castle. Something was wrong. This wasn't just a random attack.

Lira stepped forward, her expression hardening. "We need to move," she said. "Now."

The king, who had been standing still, now stepped down from his throne with surprising agility. His eyes were not filled with fear no, they were calculating, cold. "You have no idea what you're about to face," he muttered, as though speaking to himself. He turned to Kael. "The guild will stop at nothing to get what they want. They are led by someone... someone who knows far too much about your past."

Kael felt his blood run cold at the king's words. "Who are they?" he demanded, his voice filled with urgency. "What do they want from me?"

The king's eyes softened for a brief moment, almost as if he was about to reveal a secret, but the moment passed quickly. "We'll talk later," he said. "Right now, we need to focus on survival."

Before Kael could respond, a loud crash interrupted him, and the doors of the throne room were blasted open. Soldiers, cloaked in dark robes, poured into the room. Their eyes were hollow, empty no sign of life behind them. Kael's stomach twisted. These weren't ordinary soldiers. These were the puppets of the Shadow Guild.

Thaloran growled beside him, sensing the danger. Kael didn't hesitate. He leaped into action, swinging his sword toward the nearest soldier. The blade struck with precision, cutting through the enemy's defenses. But there were too many. The throne room was quickly becoming a battleground, filled with the clash of steel, the screams of soldiers, and the growls of Thaloran as it fought to protect them.

Draven moved with swift grace, his daggers flashing in the dim light as he dispatched soldier after soldier. Lira was no less deadly, her bow drawing arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark with deadly accuracy. Yet even with their combined efforts, the enemy was relentless.

Kael could feel the pressure mounting. They needed a plan, and fast. He was beginning to realize that this wasn't just about survival. This was about something much larger. The guild wasn't just attacking they were sending a message.

"Form up!" Kael shouted. "Protect the king!"

Lira nodded, quickly falling into formation beside him. Draven, ever the strategist, positioned himself between the king and the rest of the attackers, guarding the royal figure with his life. But Kael couldn't shake the feeling that something more sinister was at play. The king had known far too much about him, and the Shadow Guild had been far too prepared for this attack. It was almost as if they knew exactly where to find him.

"Stay close!" Kael called again, as the soldiers closed in. Thaloran fought fiercely beside him, its sharp claws tearing through the enemy ranks. But there were too many of them, and they just kept coming. Kael's mind raced. If they didn't get out of here soon, they would all be overrun.

Just as Kael was about to strike down another soldier, a loud, guttural roar echoed through the hall. The ground shook beneath their feet, and a massive, shadowy beast emerged from the darkness. Its eyes glowed with a deep red light, and its fur was as black as the night itself. Kael's heart sank. He had seen beasts like this before—these were not just ordinary creatures. They were enchanted, controlled by dark magic.

The beast lunged, and Kael barely had time to dodge its massive claws. It was faster than anything he had ever encountered, its movements a blur of terrifying strength and speed. Thaloran leaped to intercept the beast, its jaws snapping as it clashed with the creature. The two beasts collided, a cacophony of growls and snarls filling the air.

"Kael, watch out!" Draven shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

But it was too late. The beast turned on Kael with a speed that took him by surprise. Its claws slashed across his chest, leaving deep gouges in his armor. Pain exploded through him, but he gritted his teeth and fought through it, swinging his sword with all his strength.

Thaloran was locked in combat with the other beast, but Kael could see it faltering. The creatures were strong stronger than they had any right to be. He needed to end this now, or they would all be finished.

Kael roared in fury, his beastly power awakening inside him. The magic surged through his body, filling him with strength he hadn't felt in years. His senses sharpened, his body moving with newfound speed. He could feel the power of the Beast Lords pulsing within him, urging him to act.

With a cry of defiance, Kael lunged at the shadowy beast, his sword flashing through the air. It was a desperate move, but it worked. His blade struck true, cutting through the creature's throat. The beast let out a shrill scream as it collapsed, its body disintegrating into black smoke.

Kael stood over the fallen beast, panting heavily. He had done it. But as he looked around, he saw the carnage they had left behind. The throne room was littered with the bodies of both soldiers and beasts, but the fight was far from over.

Then, just as Kael turned to face the king, a shadowy figure appeared at the far end of the room. A figure cloaked in darkness, its face hidden beneath a black hood. The air grew thick with tension, and Kael's heart skipped a beat. He recognized that presence.

The figure stepped forward, revealing a pair of glowing red eyes that seemed to burn into Kael's very soul. "You are the one they sent?" the voice was chilling, cold as ice. It sent a shiver down Kael's spine. "The Beast Lord? How... unexpected."

Kael's grip on his sword tightened, his muscles tensing as he prepared for another fight. "Who are you?" he demanded, though his voice barely held steady.

The figure chuckled darkly, a sound that seemed to echo off the stone walls. "You don't recognize me? How sad. I was hoping for more of a challenge."

Kael's stomach churned as recognition slowly dawned on him. This wasn't just any assassin. This was someone from his past. Someone who had been hidden in the shadows for years, someone who knew him perhaps better than anyone else.

"You," Kael whispered, his voice hoarse. "You were part of the guild."

The figure removed their hood, revealing a face Kael never thought he'd see again. A face twisted by time and darkness, someone he had once called an ally someone who had betrayed him.

"Yes, Kael," the man said with a twisted smile. "It's me. I've been waiting for this moment."

Before Kael could react, the man raised his hand, and the air around them began to ripple, as if reality itself was being twisted. Kael's heart raced. This wasn't just a betrayal it was a trap, one that had been set long ago.

"You may have defeated my beasts," the man sneered, "but now you'll face the true power of the Shadow Guild."

And with that, the room was plunged into darkness.