The wise woman's words hung in the air, heavy with an otherworldly weight. Her eyes seemed to bore into the very souls of Lirien, Arin, and Eira, as if searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation. The Shadow King, sensing an opportunity, sneered at the group, his dark energy crackling with malevolent intent.
But Kael's gaze remained fixed on the wise woman, his eyes burning with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. He had always known that his oath was complex, but he had never truly understood its depths.
"Tell us, wise one," Lirien implored, her voice barely above a whisper. "What is the truth about Kael's oath? Is there a way to break it?"
The wise woman's eyes seemed to cloud, as if she were summoning a forgotten memory from the depths of her mind. "Ah, yes... the oath of the ancient heroes. It was forged in a time long past, when the balance of light and darkness was precarious indeed. The Shadow King, then a powerful sorcerer, sought to tip the scales in his favor. He created an oath, binding three heroes to serve him until the balance was restored."
Arin's eyes widened in horror. "And you're saying Kael was one of those heroes?"
The wise woman nodded gravely. "Yes, child. Kael was once a champion of light, sworn to defend the land against the forces of darkness. But the Shadow King's curse was cunningly crafted. It bound Kael's will to his own, forcing him to serve as his minion."
Eira's creative spark flared with indignation. "That's monstrous! How could anyone create such an oath?"
The wise woman's expression turned sorrowful. "The Shadow King was a master of dark magic. His power was vast, and his ambition knew no bounds. He manipulated Kael's sense of duty and honor to bend him to his will."
Lirien's heart went out to Kael, who stood tall and proud despite the weight of his burden. She reached out to touch his arm, her touch infusing him with a spark of hope.
"But there is hope," the wise woman continued. "If you can restore balance to the land, break the curse that binds Kael's will..."
Kael's eyes snapped towards hers, a glimmer of determination flickering in their depths. For the first time since his capture, he saw a glimmer of freedom on the horizon.