Chapter Ten: Fractured Bonds

The fire blazed softly in the center of the camp, its warm light casting flickering shadows across the rough landscape. Away from the threats that still hung over the horizon, the gang had discovered a remote valley to rest in. However, the tension persisted despite this brief calm.

Kael continued to sit by the fire, his mind heavy and agitated. The Sovereign Core was still pulsing within him, like a second heartbeat that he was unable to stop. For now, however, it was quiet—confined. Aelira was correct. He was able to control it. However, the fear continued to eat at the corners of his consciousness. What if he couldn't the next time?

Stretching the fatigue from his limbs, he rose up and walked to his bedroll. He was mentally, emotionally, and physically worn out. But sleep didn't come easily. His mind kept returning to the tIme when his own hands had turned against his buddies, when the Sovereign Core had taken control. Would they ever have the same impression of him? His racing thoughts were interrupted by the calm, gentle tone of Aelira's voice.

"Kael, you must take a break. At dawn, we'll be prepared to move."

The firelight defined her figure as he turned to see her standing a few feet away. Although her eyes were full of worry, there was also a silent trust in them. When she had previously reached out to him during the conflict, she had given him the same expression. Even when he was unable to trust in himself, she had faith in him. He responded,

"I will," but his voice lacked confidence. "Just… need a moment."

He was not pushed by her. She just nodded instead, and went back to her own place by the fire. The others had already taken up residence for the night, either dozing off or deep in thought. Kael wished they could relax, even for a second. Willing himself to follow their example, he closed his eyes, but sleep eluded him. As the night wore on, Kael's thoughts were constantly racing. Every sound was amplified in the silent darkness, and his senses were sharpened. He could hear the crackling of the fire, the rustling of leaves as the wind shook the trees, and the far-off cries of wild animals.

He heard the Sovereign Core above all else, though. He had a low, throbbing hum inside of him that sounded like a storm approaching. It was observing, seeking, and waiting. In an attempt to dismiss the feeling and remind himself that he still had control, he shifted uneasily. He had previously resisted it. He could repeat it. However, something in the air altered while he held onto that concept. The very small trembling of the ground under him was a warning.

A beat skipped In Kael's heart. There was an impending event. Quickly, he got up and looked around the dark, but all he saw were the silhouettes of his sleeping and oblivious comrades and the shadows cast by the campfire. But there was no denying the tension in the air. He got up and walked silently toward the perimeter of their camp, taking care not to wake anyone. The Sovereign Core was churning restlessly inside him, and his senses were keen. Something—someone—was close by. He felt a chill go through him as a low growl reverberated in the distance. It was something else, something much more dangerous than an animal.

The silence was broken with a hiss and then a sudden crackling sound. A shadow-covered person emerged from the shadows. "Kael," came a raspy voice, familiar but more icy than before. "I see that you've finally discovered your path. You're not free, though. As he recognized the form in front of him, with the shadows encircling them like a manifestation of their will, Kael's heart fell. "Renna…" Kael's voice hardly made a sound.

The person in front of him was an old friend, a reliable comrade from before the mayhem had taken over. However, the woman he used to know no longer had those eyes looking back at him. They were ruthless, cunning, and malicious. Renna moved forward, bringing the camp's shadow down even further. "Kael, the Sovereign Core is ours. It always has. You are unable to change who you are. Her words caused the Core inside Kael to surge, but he struggled to control it as he tightened his hands. "Renna, I am not yours. I belong to no one. A sour smirk curved her lips. "We'll see about that."

The air tightened around them as Renna held up her hand before Kael could respond. As like she had given the order, the wind howled and the temperature fell. As though in response to her threat, Kael felt his Sovereign Core erupt fiercely. The camp was about to awaken, but Kael knew he would be fighting this battle alone.

The tension-filled air between them sparked with invisible energy. Although Kael's heartbeat increased, he remained firm, his muscles taut, prepared for whatever Renna had in store. She had been fierce and faithful the last time he'd seen her, but not like this. She now resembled an echo of a former acquaintance, distorted by something sinister and strange. He felt a chill as the shadows held on to her like they were living things. He continued, "You shouldn't be here," in a steady but low voice. "You were gone."

Renna's expression was unreadable as she cocked her head. "Gone? No, Kael. I was captured. I also noticed stuff. Things that are beyond your imagination. I now realize what we were always supposed to be. In the faint firelight, her eyes shone with an unearthly glitter that unnerved Kael. He reached for his pistol as she took another step forward, but her sneer informed him that she wasn't there for a straightforward altercation. Renna went on to say, "You can't fight the Sovereign Core forever." "Even now, it is altering you. Don't you sense it? That force whispering to you, blazing beneath your skin? Despite your belief that you are in control, you are not. Not any more than I was.

Kael's jaw tightened. She was attempting to control him. He had almost lost himself to the Core before, so he knew it was hazardous, but that didn't mean he had to give in to it. firmly, "I'm not like you," he said. Renna laughed with a tone that was almost pity-infused. "Not yet." Kael felt a twinge of unease as the ground shook beneath them, a profound tremor. He was familiar with that feeling—the Core reacting to his feelings, to the danger in front of him. As though she could see the Sovereign Core throbbing beneath his flesh, Renna's eyes darted to his chest. "You know they won't ever trust you. Didn't you sense it? their eyes' terror. Aelira, too. When you lost control, they witnessed it.

They witnessed your transformation. Kael balled her fingers into fists. She was attempting to make him uncomfortable and question himself. However, the recollection of Aelira's voice and her unwavering belief—I trust in you—pierced Renna's poison. Then he hissed, "Enough," "I don't know what happened to you, but I won't be part of it." Renna gave a quick, almost disappointed, breath. Then she moved more quickly than Kael had anticipated. Dark tendrils of shadow erupted from her shape and spiraled toward him. He was forced to dive backwards as they whipped at him before he could even respond.

The abrupt noise shook the camp. The first to react was Aelira, who jumped upright with a sharp intake of breath that sliced through the air. "Kael?" He lost the time of distraction. His wrist was encircled by one of the dark tendrils, which burned coldly where it touched his flesh. He clinched his teeth as a searing pain pierced through him. "Let him go!" Aelira's ferocious and authoritative voice echoed. With a slight head turn, Renna seemed to acknowledge the others for the first time. "Ah. Them."

As Aelira and the others stumbled to their feet, Kael took advantage of the opportunity to tear his wrist free, causing him to wobble back. He could see the unasked query in their eyes and the bewilderment on their expressions. "Kael," Aelira replied cautiously, looking from Renna to him. "Who is this?" Renna grinned. "A longtime companion. One who is more aware of his true nature than any of you can ever be." Kael's stomach twisted at the way she stated it. Around her, the shadows whirled wildly, like a hurricane that was just almost contained. "We're leaving," Kael replied sternly as he retreated toward his friends.

Renna's eyes glowed dangerously, but she did not attempt to stop him. "For now," she remarked in a calm, almost humorous voice. But soon, Kael, you'll come look for me. You won't have any options. Then, just as abruptly as she had emerged, she vanished, engulfed by the shadows. She left behind a deafening quiet. Kael pushed back the residual uneasiness with a calm exhale. He turned and looked into Aelira's inquiring, probing eyes.

"Are you going to tell us what that was about?" she said. Kael paused. In actuality, he wasn't certain he even knew.