Chapter 45: Echoes of Betrayal

A Rift Between Them

The air in the ruins of Vasthral still crackled with lingering energy from their battle. The Rift had been forced back—for now—but its presence still loomed, unseen but undeniable.

Eryndra's fingers tightened around Thalos' wrist. She wasn't letting go this time.

He was still staring at the spot where the Abyss-Touched had vanished, his expression unreadable.

"You used it again," she said, voice barely above a whisper.

Thalos exhaled, closing his eyes briefly. He didn't deny it.

"I controlled it," he murmured. "That's different."

Eryndra shook her head. It wasn't. Not to her.

"You know what they say about the Rift," she pressed. "Every time you use its power, it takes something in return."

Thalos finally looked at her. Really looked at her.

His golden eyes—once bright, once alive—now flickered with something darker.

A shadow.

A void.

Eryndra felt something cold settle in her chest. Was she already losing him?

Before she could speak again, a sudden chill swept through the ruins.

They weren't alone.

The Hunter Arrives

A voice cut through the air, smooth yet edged with amusement.

"You two are quite the spectacle."

Eryndra spun, sword raised—

And froze.

A figure stood atop the shattered remains of the throne room, bathed in the dim glow of Rift energy.

Cloaked in black. A presence that reeked of deception.

The Hunter of the Dominion.

Velgrin Voss.

A name whispered in fear. A man who hunted traitors… and those touched by the Rift.

Eryndra's heart pounded. Had he been watching them this whole time?

"Thalos Arctur," Velgrin mused, stepping forward. His tone was almost lazy, but his eyes were sharp—assessing, calculating.

"You certainly know how to cause a scene. It's not every day the Rift bends to someone's will."

Eryndra moved instantly, stepping in front of Thalos. Her instincts screamed at her to protect him.

But Thalos didn't move.

Didn't flinch.

Didn't even breathe.

Velgrin tilted his head, studying him.

"Tell me, how much of yourself did you lose to pull that off?"

Thalos remained silent.

Velgrin chuckled. "Ah. That much, huh?"

A Game of Deception

Eryndra tightened her grip on her sword. She knew what this was.

A test.

Velgrin wanted to see how far Thalos had fallen.

She wouldn't give him the chance.

"Step aside, Velgrin," she said. "We're leaving."

Velgrin smiled. "Are you?"

A flicker of movement—too fast.

Eryndra barely had time to react before Velgrin was suddenly behind them, his dagger pressed lightly against Thalos' neck.

"Let's be honest, Eryndra," he murmured, voice silky smooth. "You don't trust him either."

Thalos didn't move. Didn't react.

Velgrin smirked. "See? Not even a protest."

Eryndra's pulse pounded. Thalos was just standing there, letting this happen.

Why?

Her grip tightened on her blade. "Take your hands off him. Now."

Velgrin sighed. "Protecting him like this… Are you sure you're not making a mistake?"

Eryndra glared. "I know who he is."

Velgrin's smile widened. "Do you?"

Then—he whispered something.

Something only Thalos could hear.

Eryndra saw it. The flicker of something in Thalos' eyes.

A shadow.

A hesitation.

And that was when she knew—

Velgrin knew something she didn't.

A Truth Unspoken

The dagger disappeared as Velgrin stepped back, hands raised in mock surrender.

"No need to get violent," he said, grinning. "Not yet, anyway."

Eryndra's jaw clenched. "What do you want?"

Velgrin shrugged. "Just an observation."

His eyes flicked to Thalos. "You're unraveling. And you know it."

Silence.

Then—Thalos turned away.

Eryndra's stomach twisted.

He wasn't denying it.

Velgrin chuckled. "I'll be seeing you two again soon. Assuming, of course, you don't destroy each other first."

Then—he was gone.

Leaving behind only his words.

Unraveling.

Eryndra turned to Thalos.

"Tell me he's wrong."

Thalos didn't answer.

And that silence was all she needed to know.

She was losing him.