The campfire crackled in the darkness as the two teams stood around, their uneasy truce hanging by a thread. Tension filled the air, but no one dared to speak a word. Kael's eyes scanned the group from Rhylen's team, his gaze landing on each of them—he couldn't help but feel the weight of the fragile alliance they had built.
Rhylen, despite his stoic exterior, couldn't ignore the storm brewing inside him. Valen's words still echoed in his mind, the doubt and fear threatening to consume him. He had lived in the shadow of the master for so long, unsure of where his true loyalties lay. But now, with Kael and the others by his side, he was determined to find the truth.
The silence stretched on, broken only by the distant sounds of the forest.
Then, without warning, a sharp sound cut through the night.
A sword, gleaming in the firelight, struck deep into Rhylen's side. His breath caught in his throat, the unexpected pain surging through his body. His eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He staggered back, feeling the cold steel inside him, the warmth of blood rushing out from the wound.
"Rhylen!" Kael shouted, his voice cracking with disbelief and fury.
The rest of Rhylen's team froze in horror. Lyra's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Moren and Xara were frozen, their faces pale with realization, but no one moved, as if the world had slowed around them.
"Valen, what the hell are you doing?!" Lyra screamed, her voice trembling as she took a step forward, her bow raised.
But Valen's expression was cold, his eyes distant and unwavering. He slowly twisted the sword in Rhylen's side, making the younger man gasp in pain.
"I've been waiting for this moment, Rhylen," Valen's voice was low, almost pitying. "You were always too soft. Too naive. You thought you could escape the master, but you can't. You've been a fool."
Kael rushed toward them, his sword crackling with energy, but something in Valen's posture made him hesitate. There was no malice, no regret in Valen's face. It was as if this was all just a cold, calculated move—like he had expected this to happen all along.
"You…" Rhylen gasped, blood spilling from his lips. "Why? After everything we've been through, why would you do this?"
Valen yanked the sword free and stepped back, letting Rhylen collapse to the ground, clutching his side. The others stood motionless, the gravity of the moment sinking in.
"You never understood, Rhylen. You never understood what it takes to truly serve the master. The power he offers—it's the only thing that matters in this world. You were weak. You'll always be weak."
Kael's voice was low but seething with anger. "This ends now, Valen. Step away from him."
But Valen didn't even glance at Kael, his gaze locked on Rhylen. "You were a tool, Rhylen. Nothing more. And now… you're a liability."
The firelight flickered, casting harsh shadows across the scene. For a moment, everything stood still. Kael's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Valen had betrayed them. He had betrayed Rhylen in the worst possible way.
Rhylen's body trembled on the ground as the pain consumed him. He barely managed to lift his head, his voice barely a whisper. "Kael… I'm sorry. I never… I never thought he would…" He coughed, blood staining his lips. "I thought I could stop him."
Kael knelt beside Rhylen, his anger momentarily replaced by a deep sense of protectiveness. He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, trying to stabilize him. His mind flashed with memories of the moments they had shared, and the bond they had begun to forge, even amidst the chaos.
"This isn't over," Kael muttered, his words cold and fierce. He turned to the rest of Rhylen's team. "We'll finish this. Together."
The rest of Rhylen's team stood frozen, still in shock. Lyra finally broke the silence, her voice shaking with emotion. "Valen… why? Why betray us like this?"
Valen took a step back, his cold gaze flickering for a moment to the others before he gave a slight, almost imperceptible shrug.
"You'll understand in time," he said, his tone devoid of warmth. "If you live long enough."
He turned sharply and disappeared into the shadows, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.
Rhylen's body shook, the blood loss threatening to take him, but he fought to stay conscious. Kael gritted his teeth and placed his hand on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Stay with me, Rhylen. Don't you dare die on me now," Kael said fiercely, his voice barely controlled.
Rhylen weakly raised his hand, touching Kael's arm, his eyes flickering with a mix of exhaustion and regret. "Kael… I'm sorry. I didn't want this. I didn't want to drag you into this war."
Kael clenched his jaw. "You didn't drag me into anything. We're in this together."
The others finally moved, gathering around, but the sense of loss and betrayal hung heavily in the air. Rhylen's team was fractured, and Valen's treachery had left a scar that would take time to heal.
Kael looked at his brother's face, determination settling in his chest. "We will stop him. Valen will regret this. He will answer for his betrayal."
Rhylen gave him a weak smile, his breath shallow but filled with resolve. "Together, Kael. We will."