Chapter 19: Parting Ways

Kael had never been good at goodbyes.

She had spent most of her life avoiding them.

People left. That was how the world worked.

She had learned that lesson at six years old, standing in the ruins of her home, her family's blood soaking the ground.

She hadn't cried then.

She wouldn't cry now.

But still—

Standing before Bast and the people she had called her allies, her family, she felt something in her chest tighten.

"You're really going through with this," Bast said, arms crossed, watching her carefully. His scarred face was unreadable, but his dark eyes held something dangerous. Protective.

Kael lifted her chin. "I am."

Bast exhaled through his nose. "Figured."

A few of the others stood behind him—Marla, Finn, Veyrick. They had helped her hide Riven in the beginning, standing against the warlords when they came too close.

And now, she was leaving them behind.

Marla tilted her head. "You sure you want to go up there?"

Kael nodded.

Veyrick sighed. "Well, damn. Who am I supposed to bet on in the fights now?"

Kael smirked. "Guess you'll have to fight yourself, old man."

Veyrick grinned. "Wouldn't be fair. I'd win too easily."

Finn crossed his arms. "You better come back. You still owe me three gold pieces."

Kael arched an eyebrow. "For what?"

Finn grinned. "For being an insufferable ass."

Kael snorted. "That's a tax, not a debt."

A few of them laughed.

But Bast?

He was still watching her.

Kael met his gaze. "Say it."

Bast exhaled slowly. "You know you don't have to do this alone, right?"

Kael didn't answer immediately.

Because the truth was—she did.

Revenge was hers.

The throne, the past, the war that had begun before she was even born—all of it belonged to her now.

And she couldn't drag them into it.

She had already asked too much of them.

So, she only nodded once.

Bast's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue.

Instead, he turned and grabbed something wrapped in cloth from the table behind him.

Kael frowned as he stepped toward her, pushing it into her hands.

"A gift," Bast muttered.

Kael unwrapped it carefully.

And stilled.

A bow.

Not just any bow—a masterpiece.

The frame was dark purple and black, sleek and deadly. The limbs were curved slightly, reinforced with a material she didn't recognize, and when she ran her fingers over it, she felt power humming beneath her touch.

She looked up sharply. "This is—"

Bast crossed his arms. "Better than that old thing you've been using."

Kael's throat felt tight. "Bast—"

"Don't get sentimental on me now, girl," Bast grumbled. "I had this made years ago. Figured you'd need it one day."

Kael swallowed. "It's incredible."

Bast arched an eyebrow. "So are you."

Kael inhaled sharply, looking away. Damn him.

She had spent years making herself untouchable, unshakable.

And yet, Bast still knew how to get under her skin.

Finally, she lifted the bow, pulling back the string just slightly. The pull was smooth, effortless.

A weapon made for her.

She exhaled, steadying herself, before nodding once. "Thank you."

Bast only grunted. "Use it well."

Kael didn't promise anything.

But she would.

She would use it to bring down the people who had done this to her.

To her family.

To the throne that had never been hers.

And then—maybe—she would come back.

Maybe.

She turned, stepping into the shadows.

Riven and Jorrik were already waiting near the tunnel entrance.

Riven arched an eyebrow. "That was surprisingly heartfelt."

Kael ignored him.

Jorrik smirked. "You going to name the bow?"

Kael hesitated.

Then, quietly—"Vengeance."

Jorrik let out a low whistle. "That's intense."

Riven grinned. "I like it."

Kael didn't smile.

She just gripped her new weapon tighter and walked forward.

Because there was only one place left to go.

And she wasn't running anymore.