Kael staggered back, his mind reeling from Eiran's revelation.
"What do you mean it's tied to you?"Eiran's voice was heavy with regret.
"The curse on your family—it was created centuries ago by one of my ancestors. They were trying to harness the power of something ancient, something dark. But the spell went wrong, and your bloodline was cursed. And because the curse was born of my family's magic, I'm the only one who can break it."Kael stared at him, shock and anger warring within him.
"So this whole time… you've known."Eiran's face tightened. "I didn't know everything right away, Kael. At first, I thought I could break the curse like any other magic. But the more I learned, the more I realized it wasn't just a curse—it was a bond, tied to both our bloodlines."Kael's thoughts raced.
His family's suffering, the madness that had claimed his ancestors, and the weight of the crown—it all traced back to Eiran's bloodline.
"So what now?" Kael asked, his voice sharp. "You're saying that the only way to break this curse is through you?"Eiran's eyes softened, filled with an emotion that Kael couldn't quite place.
"Yes. But it's not that simple. Breaking the curse will require a sacrifice."Kael's heart clenched.
"What kind of sacrifice?"Eiran hesitated, his expression pained.
"A life. The curse can't be undone without it. And it has to be from one of the bloodlines."Kael's stomach dropped.
"You mean… me or you."Eiran nodded slowly. "Yes."The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Eiran's words sinking in.
Kael had always known that breaking the curse would come at a cost, but he hadn't expected it to be this. He hadn't expected it to be a choice between his life or Eiran's.
Kael's gaze locked with Eiran's, and for the first time, he saw the depth of the struggle in the mage's eyes.
Eiran had been carrying this burden for as long as Kael had known him, and now the truth was laid bare.
"You've been planning to sacrifice yourself," Kael realized, his voice barely a whisper.Eiran didn't deny it.
"If it means freeing you from the curse, then yes. I would give my life."Kael shook his head, anger and pain boiling inside him.
"I won't let that happen. There has to be another way.""There isn't," Eiran said, his voice firm but laced with sorrow.
"I've looked for every possible solution, every spell, every ritual. This is the only way."Kael turned away, his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and helplessness.
He couldn't lose Eiran—not like this. Not after everything they had been through. But if the only way to break the curse was through death, what choice did he have?Eiran stepped forward, placing a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"I'm not afraid to die, Kael. Not if it means saving you. You're the king. Your people need you. You can rebuild Norvayne, free of the curse."Kael clenched his fists, his chest tight.
"And what about what I need?"Eiran's hand dropped, and Kael turned to face him, his heart hammering in his chest.
He hadn't realized how much Eiran had come to mean to him—not just as a mage, not just as an ally, but as something more."I can't do this without you," Kael said, his voice rough with emotion.
Eiran's eyes softened, his expression filled with regret. "You're stronger than you know, Kael. You always have been."Kael's mind raced, searching for a way out, for a way to break the curse without losing Eiran.
But the reality of the situation loomed large. One of them had to die to end the curse. And no matter how much he hated it, Kael knew Eiran was ready to make that sacrifice.
But Kael wasn't ready to let him go."I'll find another way," Kael said, his voice filled with determination. "I don't care how long it takes—I'll find a way to break this curse without losing you."
Eiran looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sad smile, he nodded. "I hope you do, Kael. But just in case… be ready."