Chapter 5: Restless Night

A Moment of Rest

Inside the cave, the air was damp and cold. The walls were rough, jagged stone, and the ground was uneven. It wasn't comfortable, but at least it was safe.

Cedric sat near the entrance, staring at his hands. They looked the same as always—rough from years of working in the fields, calloused from swinging wooden swords as a child. But now, they could summon light. They could fight demons.

Orin had said it was the power of a Monarch.

But Cedric still didn't want to believe it.

Ciara sat next to him, her back against the wall. She was quiet, lost in thought. The wound on her arm had stopped bleeding, but she was still weak.

Orin, on the other hand, looked completely fine despite being hit by the Blocker earlier. He sat cross-legged on the other side of the cave, sharpening his short blade.

"We'll rest here for a few hours," Orin said without looking up. "Then we move."

Ciara frowned. "Move where? There's nowhere safe."

Orin smirked. "That depends on what you consider safe."

Cedric finally spoke. "You know more than you're telling us."

Orin stopped sharpening the blade. his sharp blue eyes met Cedric's. "And you know less than you should."

Cedric clenched his fists. "Then tell me. No more riddles."

Orin sighed and leaned back against the wall. "Fine. Ask your questions."

Secrets of the Monarchs

Cedric took a deep breath. "If I really am the Monarch of Light, then why don't I remember anything?"

Orin tilted their head. "Because you're not complete."

Cedric frowned. "What does that mean?"

Orin's expression became serious. "The Monarch of Souls saved only a fragment of Alistair. A piece of his soul. The rest? It's gone."

Cedric's chest tightened. "So… I'm not really him?"

"You are, but you aren't," Orin said. "You have his power. Maybe even his instincts. But you're also Cedric. And right now, you're only a shadow of what you were before."

Cedric looked down. A part of him felt relieved. He wasn't just some god in a human body. He was still Cedric. But another part of him felt… empty.

If he was only a fragment, then would he ever be whole?

Ciara crossed her arms. "Then why did they kill him? The Monarch of Light?"

Orin's expression darkened. "Because Alistair was the only one who could stop them."

Silence filled the cave.

Cedric swallowed hard. "Then if they find out I'm alive…"

"He'll come for you," Orin said. "And he won't stop until you're dead for good."

Who?

The monarch of shades (Raziel)

Cedric's stomach twisted. He didn't want this. He wasn't ready.

"I'm just a boy," he muttered. "I don't know how to fight like a Monarch."

"Then learn," Orin said simply. "Because right now, you're weak."

Cedric felt a spark of anger. "I just killed a Blocker."

Orin chuckled. "Barely. That wasn't skill—that was instinct. And next time, instinct won't be enough."

Cedric clenched his fists but said nothing.

Ciara placed a hand on his arm. "We'll figure it out together," she said softly.

Her words helped, but Cedric still felt lost. He didn't know how to be a Monarch. And he didn't know if he wanted to be.

But he didn't have a choice.

Before they could continue the conversation, Orin tensed. Their hand went to their blade.

Cedric's breath caught. "What is it?"

"Something's outside," Orin whispered.

Ciara's eyes widened. "Demons?"

Orin didn't answer. Instead, they stood and moved toward the cave entrance, pressing themselves against the wall.

Cedric slowly got up, his heart pounding. He focused, trying to feel something—anything—that could warn him.

Then, he heard it.

A low growl.

Not as deep as a Blocker's. Not as terrifying as a Belphegor's. But still dangerous.

A Night Crawler.

Orin glanced at Cedric. "Think you can handle this one?"

Cedric hesitated. He wasn't sure. The Blocker was different. That power had come out by accident. He didn't know if he could summon it again.

But there was no time to doubt.

The growling grew louder.

Orin smirked. "Good. Because I'm not helping."

Cedric's eyes widened. "What?"

"If you're going to survive, you need to learn how to fight," Orin said. "So, fight."

Before Cedric could argue, the Night Crawler lunged into the cave.

It was a long, slender creature with black fur and glowing red eyes. Its claws scraped against the stone as it hissed, baring sharp fangs.

Ciara scrambled back, but Cedric stepped forward.

His hands trembled. His heart pounded.

Come on. Light. Power. Whatever you are—wake up!

The Night Crawler pounced.

Cedric raised his arms.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

A faint glow.

Not bright. Not strong. But just enough.

Cedric swung his arm, and the light flared. The Night Crawler screeched as it was thrown back, hitting the cave wall hard.

It shook its head, dazed. But it wasn't dead.

Cedric didn't wait. He ran forward, lifting a nearby rock, and smashed it down onto the demon's skull.

The creature let out one last cry—then went still.

Silence.

Cedric stood over the body, panting. His hands were shaking, but not from fear.

From excitement.

He had done it.

It wasn't a huge victory, but it was something.

Orin grinned. "Not bad, Monarch."

Cedric exhaled, letting the tension leave his body. He wasn't strong yet. But he was getting there.

One step at a time.