The soft light of morning filtered through the windows as Valen sat at the edge of the garden, watching Aeliana play among the flowers.
Her laughter, bright and innocent, filled the air—a stark contrast to the cold calculation that simmered beneath his calm exterior.
Aeliana had always adored him, following him with unwavering devotion, her wide, trusting eyes seeking his approval at every turn.
Today, Valen would use that trust, guiding her toward her inevitable fate.
"Aeliana," he called out gently.
She turned, her face lighting up with a smile as she bounded toward him, her golden curls bouncing with each step.
"Valen! Can we play today?" Her voice was filled with excitement, completely oblivious to the darkness that hung over the day.
Valen smiled, though the gesture never quite reached his eyes. "I have a special game for us today," he said smoothly. "Something only you and I can do."
Aeliana's eyes sparkled with excitement. "A special game? What is it?"
"It's a secret," Valen replied, his voice carrying a gentle warmth. "But I promise, it's going to be fun. We'll go to a place I've found, hidden deep in the forest. You'll love it."
The mention of a secret place intrigued her, and she bounced on her toes, eager to please. "Let's go now, then! I can't wait!"
Valen nodded, his gaze soft as he watched her innocent excitement. Inside, though, his heart remained cold, untouched by the warmth that radiated from her.
He knew what was coming, knew the role she would play in the ritual. But there was no room for hesitation, no space for doubt.
He had already decided long ago—Aeliana was nothing more than a means to an end.
He rose from his seat, extending his hand to her. "Come then, we shouldn't keep the secret waiting."
Aeliana eagerly took his hand, her trust absolute, her mind filled only with thoughts of whatever "game" Valen had planned for her.
She never suspected that her brother, the one she admired so deeply, could harbor such intentions.
Alaric stood at the entrance of the forest, watching as Valen and Aeliana approached. His face was unreadable, but inside, he felt the weight of what was to come.
He had been by Valen's side for years now, witnessing his rise, his cold manipulation of those around him. And though he had pledged his loyalty without question, today felt different.
The girl was innocent. Oblivious. And yet, Alaric knew her fate was sealed. The ritual demanded it, and Valen had no intentions of changing course.
As Valen and Aeliana reached him, Alaric gave a slight bow, his expression neutral. "Everything is ready, my lord."
Valen nodded. "Good. Let's not waste time."
Aeliana looked up at Alaric with a bright smile. "Are you coming with us, too?"
Alaric's throat tightened briefly, but he forced a small smile. "Yes, little one. I'll be with you the whole way."
Her grin widened, and she skipped ahead, leading the way down the narrow path that cut through the dense forest.
Valen walked beside her, his steps measured, every movement deliberate. His thoughts remained focused on the ritual ahead, on the circles he had carefully crafted.
This was the final piece. Once Aeliana took her place, everything would be in motion.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the trees grew taller, their thick branches blocking out most of the light.
The atmosphere grew heavier, the air cooler. Aeliana, however, remained blissfully unaware, her hand still clinging to Valen's.
In her mind, this was just another adventure with her beloved brother. She looked up at him as they walked, her heart full of admiration.
Valen is always so strong... so kind. She smiled to herself, excited by the thought of whatever surprise he had waiting for her.
"I wonder what game we'll play," she said out loud, her voice filled with innocent curiosity. "Is it something only you know how to do?"
Valen glanced down at her, his smile patient. "Yes, Aeliana. Something only I can show you."
Her chest swelled with pride. She always felt special around Valen. He treated her like no one else did, making her feel important, even when she didn't fully understand why.
Alaric followed behind them silently, his eyes on the forest path ahead. But inside, his thoughts churned.
The forest felt more oppressive the deeper they went, its magic weighing heavily on his mind. He knew what lay ahead—he had seen the ritual circles himself, felt the power that radiated from them.
Aeliana, for all her innocence, was walking to her death.
Alaric's loyalty to Valen had never wavered before, but now… Now, a quiet unease stirred in him. She's just a child.
The thought slipped through his mind unbidden, but he quickly pushed it away. His loyalty to Valen came first. It always had and maybe that's the reason he is still alive.
Still, as he watched Aeliana skip ahead, unaware of her fate, the weight of his role in all this pressed harder against his conscience.
He knew he couldn't stop it. Even if he wanted to, there was no changing what was about to happen.
Valen had planned everything too meticulously, and Alaric had already played his part. There's no turning back now.
After what felt like hours of walking, they finally arrived at the clearing.
The ritual site, hidden deep within the forest, stood before them—three concentric circles carved into the earth, each one glowing faintly with the remnants of Valen's mana. The air was thick with the weight of magic, the forest unusually still.
Aeliana's eyes widened in awe as she looked at the intricate designs etched into the ground. "Wow, Valen! Did you make this? It's so beautiful!"
Valen's smile was soft, though his mind remained cold. "Yes, Aeliana. I made it just for us. For the game we're about to play."
Her excitement only grew, her trust in him absolute. She stepped closer to the First Circle, peering at the glowing symbols with wide eyes. "What do I have to do?"
Valen moved beside her, his voice calm. "Stand in the center of this circle. Don't worry, I'll guide you through it."
Aeliana looked up at him, her face bright with anticipation. "Okay, Valen! I'll do whatever you say!"
She stepped into the center of the First Circle, her small feet settling into the soft earth as she looked around expectantly.
Valen remained quiet for a moment, the tension thickening in the air. Alaric stood just behind them, his expression grim as he watched the scene unfold.
His heart felt heavy, his stomach twisting in knots. But he remained silent, his loyalty overriding the growing discomfort in his chest.
Valen's gaze fell on Aeliana, her wide eyes full of trust, her innocence radiating like a beacon in the darkened forest. The moment was heavy with unspoken tension, the ritual about to begin.
Everything was in place.