Chapter 14: The weight of destiny

The Weight of Destiny

Pain ripped through Kael's body as he tumbled through the darkness. It felt like he was falling through endless space, the weight of Eryndor's power crushing him from all sides.

Then, suddenly,

The darkness spat him out.

Kael hit solid ground with a force that rattled his bones. He coughed, rolling onto his side, his vision swimming.

A hand grabbed his arm, yanking him up.

"Kael!"

Seraphine's face came into view, her golden eyes sharp with concern. "Are you still breathing?"

He sucked in air, forcing himself upright. "Barely."

He looked around, heart pounding. The chamber was gone.

Instead, they stood in a vast, desolate arena.

Blackened stone stretched in all directions, cracked and scorched by time. Jagged spires of rock jutted from the ground like the ribs of a fallen beast. A blood-red sky loomed overhead, thick with swirling clouds.

Kael's stomach tightened. "Where the hell are we?"

Seraphine shook her head. "Not in the temple anymore."

Then, 

A shadow moved.

Kael's grip on Solmara tightened as Eryndor stepped forward.

His armor gleamed with an otherworldly glow, his expression unreadable. Power radiated from him, suffocating in its intensity.

"You are reckless," Eryndor said, his voice like distant thunder. "You wield the blade, yet you do not understand what it means."

Kael clenched his jaw. "Then tell me."

Eryndor's gaze sharpened. "No. You will learn the only way that matters."

Kael barely had time to react before Eryndor struck.

The battle began.

The Trial of Fire

Eryndor's blade came at Kael like a falling star.

Kael raised Solmara just in time. Steel met steel.

The impact sent shockwaves through his body, his arms nearly buckling under the sheer force.

Seraphine lunged from the side, her daggers flashing. But Eryndor moved with impossible speed, dodging her strike like a phantom.

Kael barely had time to breathe before Eryndor was on him again.

Their blades clashed in a flurry of blows. Kael's muscles burned with every movement, his body struggling to keep up. Eryndor wasn't just stronger, he was faster, sharper.

And worst of all, he wasn't even trying.

Kael gritted his teeth. I have to find an opening.

He shifted his stance, letting Eryndor's next strike glide past him. At the last second, he twisted, bringing Solmara in a deadly arc toward Eryndor's side.

For a brief moment, Kael thought he had him.

Then,

Eryndor caught the blade with his bare hand.

Kael's breath stalled.

Eryndor's eyes burned. "You think this is enough?"

Then, with inhuman strength, he wrenched Solmara from Kael's grasp.

Kael barely had time to react before Eryndor's fist slammed into his chest.

The force sent him flying.

Kael crashed onto the stone, the wind ripped from his lungs. His vision blurred.

Seraphine let out a furious cry, charging Eryndor with deadly speed. But Eryndor didn't even turn.

With a flick of his wrist, Seraphine was hurled back by an invisible force.

She hit the ground hard.

Kael's mind screamed in protest, but his body refused to move. His ribs ached, his limbs heavy.

Eryndor loomed over him, Solmara now in his grasp.

The legendary blade, the sword that had called to Kael, was now in the hands of a warrior who truly knew its power.

Kael gritted his teeth, pushing himself onto his knees. "If you wanted to kill me, you would've done it already."

Eryndor studied him for a long moment. Then, he did the last thing Kael expected.

He flipped Solmara and offered it back.

Kael stared at him, stunned. "What—?"

Eryndor's voice was quiet but firm. "Take it. And listen well."

Kael hesitated, then grasped the hilt.

The moment he did, a jolt of energy surged through him.

Visions tore into his mind

A mighty kingdom in flames. A warrior standing before a throne, Solmara dripping with blood. A seer whispering words of doom

"Love will be the ruin of the chosen one."

Kael gasped, staggering back.

Eryndor's eyes darkened. Now you understand.

Kael's chest heaved. "The prophecy"

Eryndor nodded. "The blade chose you, Kael. But its burden is greater than you know."

Kael swallowed hard, his pulse racing. "Why does it say I'm not the true heir?"

Eryndor's expression hardened. "Because the prophecy has not yet been fulfilled."

Seraphine, still recovering, pushed herself up. "What does that mean?"

Eryndor's gaze shifted to her. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.

"The one who wields Solmara must make a choice," he said. "Love or war."

Kael's stomach twisted. Why?

Eryndor's voice was almost haunted. "Because I have seen what happens when love clouds the blade's purpose."

Kael's grip tightened on Solmara. You think I'll be weak?

Eryndor's gaze locked onto his. "I think you are standing on the same path that I once walked."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, the ground trembled.

Eryndor tensed. "They have found us."

Kael's heart pounded. "Who?

Before Eryndor could answer

The shadows at the edge of the arena began to move.

Figures emerged, their bodies wreathed in darkness. Eyes like molten gold pierced the gloom.

Seraphine swore. "Shadowborn."

Eryndor stepped forward. You are not ready to face them.

Kael straightened, raising Solmara. Then I guess I'll have to learn fast.

The creatures lunged.

And the battle began.