chapter 15: The shadowborn onslaught

The Shadowborn Onslaught

The first Shadowborn struck like a phantom, its claws slashing toward Kael's throat.

He barely had time to react. He ducked low, twisting his body as the creature's claws scraped against his shoulder, tearing through the fabric of his tunic. Pain flared, but Kael gritted his teeth, gripping Solmara tightly. The blade hummed with power in his grasp, responding to his will.

Seraphine moved in a blur beside him, her twin daggers flashing like silver lightning. She carved through the nearest Shadowborn, her strikes precise and lethal. But the creatures did not fall like ordinary foes.

Their bodies reformed from the darkness, shifting, twisting, immortal.

Eryndor stood tall, his sword radiating a cold, golden light. He swung in a wide arc, cleaving through three Shadowborn at once. Unlike Kael and Seraphine, his strikes held absolute finality. Where his blade touched, the creatures dissolved into nothingness.

Kael's pulse pounded. How is he doing that?

The realization hit him.

Solmara wasn't just a weapon, it was the key to defeating them.

Kael took a steady breath, adjusting his grip. He had seen Eryndor's movements, the way he channeled power through his sword. He had to trust Solmara, let it guide him.

The next Shadowborn lunged.

Kael moved on instinct.

He sidestepped the attack, raising Solmara and slashing down. The blade burned like white fire, cutting through the creature's form.

For the first time, it screamed.

The darkness unraveled, its body crumbling into dust.

Kael's chest heaved. He had done it.

But there was no time to celebrate.

The arena was filled with them.

A dozen. Two dozen. Maybe more.

Kael and Seraphine moved back to back, their blades carving through the endless swarm.

Seraphine's breath was ragged. "How many of these things are there?"

Eryndor's voice was calm. "Enough to drown an empire."

Kael's grip on Solmara tightened. They couldn't win this. The Shadowborn kept coming, surging forward like a black tide.

If they didn't escape soon,

A monstrous roar split the sky.

Kael's blood turned to ice.

The ground trembled as something massive stepped forward from the shadows.

A Shadowborn unlike any they had seen before.

Its eyes burned with golden fire, its body shifting and twisting like a living nightmare. It stood at least twice Kael's height, massive wings folded against its back. Dark energy pulsed from its form, suffocating, overwhelming.

Seraphine cursed. "That's new."

Eryndor raised his blade. "The Shadowborn General."

Kael swallowed hard. "We're supposed to fight that?"

Eryndor didn't answer. Instead, he lunged.

Kael barely had time to process before Eryndor met the beast head-on.

The impact was like a thunderclap.

Eryndor's sword clashed against the creature's claws, sparks flying from the force of their collision. The Shadowborn General struck with terrifying speed, its movements almost too fast to track.

Kael and Seraphine sprang into action.

They flanked the creature, Seraphine going low while Kael aimed high. Their blades sliced through its form, But it didn't even flinch.

Kael's stomach twisted. This thing was different.

It wasn't just a Shadowborn.

It was something far worse.

Then, It spoke.

A voice like shattering stone.

"You are not ready."

Kael barely had time to react before a wave of darkness erupted from the creature's body.

It hit like a storm.

Kael was hurled backward, his body slamming against the stone. He gasped, pain exploding through his ribs.

Seraphine crashed beside him, coughing blood.

Eryndor skidded to a halt, his stance unshaken. He alone had resisted the blast.

Kael struggled to stand, but his limbs felt like lead. The Shadowborn General loomed over them, its golden eyes glowing with terrible purpose.

It raised its hand.

A swirling vortex of darkness formed in its palm

And Kael knew ,It was about to kill them all.

Then ,

A blinding explosion of light.

The world tore apart.

The Prophecy Unfolds

When Kael opened his eyes, he was somewhere else.

The battlefield was gone.

The Shadowborn were gone.

He stood in an endless white void, the air thick with strange, shimmering mist.

And before him, stood the Seer.

The same Seer who had spoken the prophecy long ago.

She was tall and otherworldly, her silver hair flowing like liquid moonlight. Her eyes, pale as stars, held an unreadable expression.

Kael's heart pounded. "Where am I?"

The Seer's voice was soft, yet it echoed through his very soul.

"You stand at the crossroads of fate, Kael of Solmara."

He swallowed hard. "What does that mean?"

She tilted her head. "The prophecy is unfolding. Your choices will decide the future."

Kael clenched his fists. "Then tell me what I'm supposed to do."

The Seer studied him. Then, she stepped closer.

Her fingers brushed his forehead.

And suddenly,

Kael saw.

Visions flashed before his eyes.

A kingdom burning.

A woman's voice screaming his name.

A warrior standing alone on a battlefield, Solmara stained with the blood of thousands.

And then

A choice.

Two paths stretched before him.

One led to power. The throne. Victory over the Shadowborn.

But the other,

Led to love.

And ruin.

Kael gasped, stumbling backward. No

The Seer's voice was gentle, but firm.

"You cannot have both, Kael."

"You must choose."

His heart pounded. "But why? If I'm strong enough, I can have both!"

Her eyes darkened.

"That is what Eryndor once believed."

Kael froze.

The Seer turned away. The vision around them began to fade.

"The time is coming, Kael. Be ready."

"Or you will lose everything."

The world shattered.

Awakening

Kael gasped, jerking awake.

He was back in the arena.

The Shadowborn were gone.

Seraphine knelt beside him, relief flooding her eyes. "Kael! You're awake!"

His head pounded. "What… happened?"

Eryndor loomed over him. "The Shadowborn retreated." His voice was unreadable. "They sensed something in you."

Kael's stomach churned.

It hadn't been a dream.

The prophecy… was real.

And soon,

He would have to make the choice.