Rhylen sat alone in his quarters, the dim light from a single flame casting long shadows across the walls. His mask lay on the table before him, shattered fragments glinting like broken promises. His red eye, now fully visible, stared into the abyss beyond the room's only window.
The master's words echoed in his mind: "Bring me Kael. Alive. He is the key to the Abyss's final victory."
He clenched his fists, his mind torn between his loyalty to the Abyss and the memories of the boy he once knew—Kael, his little brother, who used to follow him everywhere, eyes full of admiration.
"Kael…" Rhylen whispered, his voice breaking. He pressed his hands to his face, as if trying to hold himself together. The memories surged forward, unstoppable.
---
The Past: Two Brothers
Rhylen remembered the days when they trained together under their father's watchful eye. Kael was smaller, but he was relentless, always trying to prove himself. Rhylen had often laughed at his little brother's determination, yet he admired it, too.
"You'll be stronger than me one day," Rhylen had said once, ruffling Kael's hair.
Kael's eyes had sparkled with hope. "Really, big brother?"
"Of course," Rhylen had replied, smiling. "But until then, I'll always be there to protect you."
But then came the war. The Abyss had torn their family apart, and Rhylen had been consumed by its power, seduced by its promises of strength and salvation. He had walked away from everything—his father, their home, and Kael.
---
The Present: A Choice
Rhylen's hands fell from his face, his expression hardening. The love he had for his brother hadn't faded, no matter how much he tried to bury it. He had told himself that Kael was just another obstacle, but when their blades had crossed, he felt the bond that time and darkness could not break.
"I can't let the Abyss take you," Rhylen said quietly. "Not you, Kael. Not my little brother."
He rose from his chair, his red eye glowing faintly as he paced the room. Defying the master was unthinkable—the Abyss punished betrayal with a fate worse than death. Yet, the thought of delivering Kael to the master made Rhylen's blood run cold.
He placed a hand on the hilt of his blade, staring at his reflection in its dark surface. "If I have to betray the Abyss to save you… so be it."
The decision was made. Rhylen would find a way to protect Kael, even if it meant turning against everything he had built, even if it meant risking his own life.
---
A Plan in Motion
Rhylen left his quarters and made his way through the fortress, avoiding the prying eyes of the master's other servants. He needed time to think, to plan. The fortress was a maze of shadows and whispers, but Rhylen knew every corner of it.
His first move would be to mislead the master, to buy himself time. He would feed him half-truths, just enough to keep his suspicions at bay. Then, he would find Kael and warn him of the danger.
But how would Kael react? Would he listen? Or would he strike Rhylen down, blinded by rage and betrayal?
Rhylen pushed the doubts aside. He didn't care if Kael hated him. He didn't care if Kael never forgave him. All that mattered was keeping him alive.
As Rhylen reached the edge of the fortress, he paused, looking out into the endless void of the Abyss. He clenched his fist, his resolve solidifying.
"No matter what it takes," he murmured, "I'll protect you, little brother."
The journey ahead would be perilous, and Rhylen knew the master would stop at nothing to crush betrayal. But for the first time in years, he felt a sense of purpose—a flicker of light in the darkness.
He turned away from the void and disappeared into the shadows, his mind set on saving the one person who still mattered to him.