Kael gasped awake, his chest tight, his breaths shallow and sharp, as he scrambled upright.
Kael's heart seized, a brutal, breath-stealing stop as found himself once again in the forest. The same dreaded forest, its twisted trees looming over him like ancient sentinels, their branches stretching like dark claws against the night sky. Every nerve in his body tensed, recognizing the chilling silence, the heavy stillness of the place that haunted his memories.
The moon hung high above, casting an eerie glow across the tangled roots and gnarled trunks, but it did nothing to warm the cold sweat that trickled down his back. "How can this be?" he thought, his pulse hammering as he took in his surroundings, each familiar detail filling him with an undeniable sense of dread.
His heart thudded wildly, an erratic rhythm that echoed through the stillness, louder than any sound around him. Just minutes ago, he'd been in the banquet hall, and now — now he was here, alone, in a place where only the shadows seemed to move. Where only memories seemed to haunt.
Kael's breaths came shallow and fast, his hands balling into fists as he tried to ground himself, to convince himself this was some twisted dream. But every rustle, every creak from the trees felt too vivid, too real. He willed his mind to think, to sort through the blur of memories, but all he could grasp was a harsh, accusing voice from before. The voice. That damned voice.
His eyes widened and darted around, searching, scanning the shadows as he felt the panic coil tight in his chest. "Did you bring me here again?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the oppressive silence. His words hung in the air, met only by the thick, unyielding dark, his pulse pounding as he waited for an answer.
His pulse quickened, frustration rising as he shouted again. "How dare you Aureon—"
Then, from directly behind him, a low, menacing growl vibrated so deep that it seemed to reverberate up through the ground itself, into his bones. Kael froze, his breath catching as he felt the familiar presence, its breath warm and steady on his nape, stirring the hairs at the back of his neck.
Kael's mind reeled, panic setting in. Through the shadows, it was clear. The shape, the presence — he knew it, recognized it. It was too similar from that night, the beast that had left him scarred. His mouth went dry as he managed to force out a whisper, "How is this possible?"
Another growl rolled out, thick with a menace that threatened to crush him. Summoning the last shreds of his composure, he spoke again, his voice hardening, almost defiant. "Why am I here, Aureon?" he said, his tone steady, masking the fear thrumming through him.
The shadows seemed to shift, the creature's shape blending into them, until a low voice spoke, sharp and biting. "You dare address me by name, Kael?"
Kael flinched, the voice all of a sudden piercing him, but he fought back the fear, his own anger flaring. "Stop scaring me!" he shouted, his words reckless, addressing them both with a tone that echoed defiantly in the night.
A long, unnerving silence followed. Kael felt as though the very air around him had frozen. And then, in a voice heavy with displeasure, Aureon's answer came. "Do not call me by my name in front of my Vashira. He does not suffer those who speak my name with irreverence."
As if in agreement, the beast behind him snarled, low and dangerous, an almost human quality in its disdain, its hot breath close enough to graze his skin. Kael set his jaw, the creature's warning igniting a defiance within him. He refused to bow, not without answers.
"Why am I here?" he demanded again, his voice a hard edge.
The answer that came was seething, words laced with condemnation. "You accepted the invitation to the political gathering at House Valeran, against every warning you received, Kael. Do you understand the gravity of walking into their midst unarmed, without power?" Aureon's voice sharpened, each word hitting like an arrow. "You delayed the foundational trials for this… pursuit, which I understood out of respect. But this decision, Kael — it was the most foolish choice you have ever made. You put yourself in danger over petty pursuits, over what? This simple competition? You postponed the trials, you risked everything. And for what?"
Kael's throat felt tight, his thoughts a jumbled blur. The anger in Aureon's voice was overwhelming, searing, and Kael realized with an unsettling clarity that he could feel Aureon's anger mingling with his own. It was strange, confusing — as if their emotions were bleeding into each other.
"Am I supposed to make you the center of my existence now?" Kael bit out, voice rigid with barely controlled fury. "Are all my choices meant to revolve around your whims?"
"Yes," Aureon's voice was as unyielding as stone, cold with finality. "The prophecy sealed that. Your fate was bound to the prophecy that sealed that. You were bound to me the moment you accepted me. You stand at the edge of something far greater than yourself, Kael, yet you defy everything that could help you. Including me. You think House Valeran would allow someone like you to walk free, untouched? They'd cage you, Kael, simply for existing outside their power, for even daring to challenge them. You cannot survive them on your own. Not without me."
Kael's heart skipped a beat as the words settled within him. After a pause, the voice was calm. Composed. "From the moment you accepted me, from the moment the prophecy was spoken, your life ceased to be your own. You were meant for a purpose far beyond anything this world has shown you. And everyone will sense it once you start earning your powers. They'll know you do not belong in their world, and they will do whatever they can to ensure you are imprisoned, like everything else your world considers otherworldly."
The words cut through him, sharp and undeniable, a dark warning hanging in the air. Kael stood, staring into the night as the weight of the truth settled over him like a shroud.
The reality of Aureon's words was undeniable. Alone, without the Pantheon's and Aureon's power, he was vulnerable, a target — even in his defiance, he knew it was true. His pride ached, but he couldn't argue. "You're right," he admitted, voice dropping to a quiet murmur. The words left him feeling raw, stripped bare. "I should have been careful."
A beat of silence passed, then two. A growl came from behind me, making Kael flinch. But it sounded more... confused? Aureon's voice shifted, his fury tempered by a note of surprise. "You… agree?" the voice asked, almost wary, almost a note of disbelief. Kael could feel the shift, a strange softness in the fury. "With me?"
Heat rose in Kael's cheeks, an uncomfortable warmth that felt foreign, even strange. "I need to get back," he muttered, clearing his throat. But before he could press further, a thought struck him, sharp as a blade. "Wait — how did you even—"
The forest around him seemed to close in as a sudden force struck his back, knocking him forward. His body fell, plummeting into a cold, dark expanse. Water surrounded him, icy and relentless, stealing his breath as he fought to resurface. And just as he broke free, his eyes met a harsh, blinding light. Truly blinding.
Gradually, shapes came into focus. He saw faces, masked and grave, doctors clustered around him. He could hear their murmurings, indistinct yet filled with tension. The beeping noise grew steady, the rhythm slowing, matching his heartbeat as his breathing calmed. A figure stepped closer, and his vision sharpened further until he saw his professor, her face washed with relief.
The doctor approached, his tone clinical, as he introduced himself as the royal physician. "You fainted," he explained, "a combination of exhaustion and heightened stress, nothing beyond recovery." The explanation was curt, yet it was clear they'd all been on edge.
The doctors nodded at the professor and left the room. His throat felt scratchy and thin. The professor, sensing his discomfort, offered him a glass of water and helped him sit upright. Kael removed his mask, took a sip, the coolness washing away the dryness in his throat. He gasped once loudly but it felt fresh.
"What happened?" he asked, voice raspy but steadier. He knew Professor Aldwin would not sugarcoat things.
His professor met his gaze, her own expression softened yet careful. "You fainted, Kael," she said gently, her tone serious. He swallowed the embarrassment that threatened to surface, nodding curtly. "The guard carried you here and for an hour you were good. But by the time I arrived, your vitals were… erratic."
She hesitated. "Your body temperature was dropping. You were cold, Kael. And then suddenly — it was gone. You seemed to stabilize, but five minutes later, you went into distress again. They tried everything, and I—," she took a pause, taking a deep breath. "Just when we feared the worst, you woke up."
He nodded again. "I apologize for worrying you, Professor."
"We can leave that all behind," her answer was immediate and her expression turned to one of concern. "What happened though?"
He swallowed hard but kept his voice calm. "I… guess the sleepless nights finally caught up."
She nodded, though a glint of worry lingered in her eyes. "Simhika was worried about you," she added, her voice softer. "She's asked us to meet her before we leave tomorrow. In the meantime…" She trailed off, a shadow crossing her face. "We'll be staying here. In the palace."
Kael's chest tightened, a strange unease settling over him. His professor gave him a reassuring smile. "If you need anything, my room is just beside yours."
He nodded, giving her a small smile. She patted his shoulder before stepping out. As she closed the door behind her, a familiar voice stirred within him, low and steady.
"You'll be fine, Kael." the voice resonated with conviction, like an anchor grounding him. "I'll make sure of it."
The reassurance sank into him, easing some tension. He sank back against the bed, letting exhaustion take over as he closed his eyes.
"And Professor Aldwin?" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper, hesitant.
Aureon's presence softened, a warmth that felt uncharacteristic yet strangely comforting. Kael could feel it. "If that is what you wish, yes."