Chapter 12: The shadow’s wrath

The Shadow's Wrath

The force of the impact drove the breath from Kael's lungs. Shadows wrapped around his chest like iron chains, pinning him against the altar. The cold seeped into his skin, sinking into his bones. It felt as if the darkness itself was trying to consume him.

The shadowy figure loomed closer, its silver eyes gleaming like twin moons in the darkness. "You are a pretender," it hissed, its voice slithering into Kael's ears like a whisper of death. "You hold the blade, but you are not its master. You are weak."

Kael gritted his teeth. He refused to be swallowed by this thing.

With all the strength he had left, he tightened his grip on Solmara and forced his arm forward.

The moment the blade pierced the darkness, the figure let out a shriek that shook the entire chamber. The shadows recoiled, releasing their grip on Kael. He dropped to his knees, gasping for air.

"Kael!" Seraphine was beside him in an instant, daggers drawn, golden eyes blazing.

The shadow wavered, its form flickering like a flame in the wind. "This is not over," it snarled. "Solmara belongs to the true heir. And you… are not him."

Kael pushed himself up, still gripping the sword. "Then come take it from me."

The figure let out a low, hollow laugh. "Not yet. But soon."

With those words, it dissolved into mist, vanishing into the air.

For a long moment, there was only silence. The tremors in the temple ceased. The suffocating pressure that had filled the air lifted.

Kael let out a slow breath. "What the hell was that?"

Seraphine's expression was grim. "A wraith," she said. "A guardian of the temple… or a remnant of something older. Either way, it wanted you dead."

Kael sheathed Solmara, his fingers still tingling from the fight. "It said I wasn't the true heir. What does that mean?"

Seraphine hesitated. "I don't know. But we need to find out—before it comes back."

Kael nodded. His pulse was still hammering, but there was no time to waste. They had what they came for. Now they had to get out.

He turned toward the entrance, but the moment he took a step forward—

The ground beneath them gave way.

The stone crumbled beneath their feet. The chamber split apart with a deafening crack.

Kael and Seraphine plunged into the darkness below.

The Descent

The fall was fast—too fast.

Kael barely had time to react before he slammed into something solid. The air rushed from his lungs, pain lancing through his side as he hit the ground.

A second later, Seraphine crashed down beside him with a curse.

Kael groaned, rolling onto his back. "Tell me that didn't just happen."

Seraphine coughed, brushing dust from her hair. "It happened."

Kael pushed himself up, his muscles screaming in protest. They had fallen into what looked like a lower chamber.

The walls here were different—smoother, untouched by time. Strange symbols pulsed faintly along the stone, glowing with an eerie blue light.

Seraphine frowned. "Where are we?"

Kael scanned the room. Unlike the temple above, this place felt older. The air was heavy, thick with magic.

Then his eyes landed on a massive stone door at the far end of the chamber.

Carved into it was a familiar symbol—the same one engraved onto Solmara's hilt.

His pulse quickened.

Seraphine followed his gaze. "Looks like you were meant to find this."

Kael stepped forward, gripping the hilt of Solmara as he approached the door. The sword hummed in his grasp, its runes pulsing in rhythm with the symbols on the stone.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

Something was waiting beyond this door.

Something that had been locked away for a very, very long time.

And now, Kael was the one who would set it free.