The Crimson Vow Falls
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The price of power is not always death. Sometimes, it is betrayal.
And betrayal was already marching on the winds.
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Dawn had barely touched the Shattered Vale when the first arrow was loosed.
It hissed through the air like a serpent's whisper, embedding itself into a tree just inches from Lyara's head. She spun, daggers already drawn, but it was too late—shadows had already surrounded their camp.
Caelen stood with sword in hand, his expression unreadable. Behind him, the remaining two Crimson Vow knights raised their crossbows—aimed directly at Aedric.
> "Caelen," Aedric growled, voice low and edged with fire, "What is this?"
> "Survival," Caelen said coldly. "Nothing personal."
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Two hours earlier
Caelen stood beneath a blackened pine tree, a silver shard in his palm—a whispering relic he had found among the wreckage of the tomb. It glowed faintly when pointed toward Aedric.
A relic of the Sibilant Order.
Its magic had shown him… truths.
Visions.
Not of Aedric as a savior.
But as a harbinger.
> Aedric Valtoris, born of a shattered prophecy.
The one who would burn the world to silence the gods.
And Caelen had seen it all: cities turned to ash, rivers of flame, and a throne of bone with Aedric's name etched into its side.
> "I won't let it happen," Caelen had said to the wind.
"Not again."
He had made his decision before the sun rose.
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Present
The air filled with tension so thick it could be drawn like a blade.
Lyara had already killed one of the knights—her dagger sunk to the hilt in his throat. But the second had fired, and Aedric now stood with a bolt buried deep in his shoulder, white flames hissing around the wound.
> "You're afraid," Aedric said through gritted teeth. "You saw something, didn't you?"
> "You're not the boy I followed!" Caelen shouted. "You're something else now! Something twisted!"
> "So what?" Lyara snapped. "You think putting an arrow in him makes you the hero?"
> "If it stops the world from ending?" Caelen raised his sword. "Then yes."
Aedric stood.
Slowly.
The bolt fell from his wound, incinerated by the pale fire licking along his veins.
> "You should have aimed for my heart."
The ground trembled.
The Heartbrand on his chest pulsed, and a ring of flame spiraled outward from his feet—pale and silent, yet searing with unholy heat. The last Crimson Vow knight screamed as the fire touched him—his armor turned to slag, his skin gone in seconds.
Caelen hesitated.
Just for a breath.
And that breath was all Aedric needed.
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In an instant, Aedric was on him—sword meeting sword.
Their blades clashed with the fury of thunder, and the clearing became a crucible of light and shadow. Sparks danced with the embers, and Caelen's expression warped from rage to realization.
Aedric wasn't just defending.
He was testing him.
Every move was measured.
Controlled.
As if Aedric could kill him at any moment… but chose not to.
> "Why?" Caelen gasped, falling back, blade trembling. "Why hold back?!"
> "Because you're still my brother," Aedric said quietly. "And brothers don't kill each other… not unless they have to."
Caelen hesitated.
But in that pause, Lyara moved.
Her blade struck hard against Caelen's wrist, sending his sword flying into the dirt.
Aedric raised his hand, flame igniting once more.
But this time… he let it fade.
> "Go," he said, voice barely more than a whisper.
Caelen looked stunned. "You… you're letting me live?"
> "You already chose your path. Now walk it."
Caelen stared a moment longer—then turned and fled into the trees.
His figure vanished like smoke.
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Later, by the dying fire, Lyara stitched Aedric's wound.
The flames were quiet now.
So was Aedric.
> "You spared him," she said at last.
> "Because I know what it's like to be afraid of the truth," Aedric said. "But I won't become the monster he fears."
She didn't respond right away.
Instead, she leaned in, resting her forehead against his for a moment.
> "Let's make sure you don't."
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But far beyond the trees, where Caelen ran beneath storm clouds…
He knelt before a hooded figure in silver robes.
A Herald.
Of the Sibilant Order.
> "You were right," Caelen said. "He's waking… and he doesn't even know what he is."
The Herald extended a scroll.
> "Then we begin the Binding War. All Names must be claimed."
> "And if Aedric resists?" Caelen asked.
The Herald smiled.
> "Then he dies. Like all the others."
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