The night air was thick with tension as Azaelith and Kael emerged from the chamber. The stars above seemed dimmer, as if the heavens themselves had turned their gaze away from what was unfolding. The Devil's Mark pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, a constant reminder of the power she now wielded. But power, she knew, came with a price.
They traveled in silence through the forest surrounding the hidden library, Kael leading the way with practiced ease. Azaelith's mind churned with thoughts of the Ascendants, the mysterious council of beings who ruled over the kingdom. If the rumors were true, their power dwarfed anything she had ever encountered. And yet, for the first time since her rebirth, she felt a flicker of hope.
"We can't do this alone," Kael said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Azaelith raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Kael stopped and turned to face her, his expression grim. "The Ascendants have eyes everywhere. They'll know the moment you make a move, and they'll come at you with everything they've got. If we're going to stand a chance, we need allies."
"Allies?" Azaelith scoffed. "Who would stand against the Ascendants? They've crushed anyone who's dared to oppose them."
Kael's gaze didn't waver. "Not everyone. There are those who've suffered under their rule, just like you. Rebels, outcasts, those who've been cast aside by the very system the Ascendants uphold. If we can unite them, we might have a chance."
Azaelith considered his words. She had always relied on herself, trusting no one but her own instincts. But Kael was right. This wasn't a battle she could fight alone.
"Where do we start?" she asked.
Kael's lips curled into a faint smile. "There's a place not far from here. A hidden enclave where the remnants of the rebellion gather. If we can convince them to join us, it'll be a start."