The air in the cave was thick with tension. Kael's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword, his chest still burning from the wound left by the traps. Across the chamber, Kerric sat slumped against the stone wall, his face pale, his breathing ragged. The relic laid between them, a small, unassuming object resting on the pedestal, but its power pulsed faintly, filling the air with a strange energy.
Footsteps echoed through the cave, drawing closer. The sound of armor clinking in the distance sent a chill down Kael's spine. He knew they didn't have much time. The soldiers had arrived, and they were closing in fast.
Kerric shifted, his eyes flickering with a mixture of guilt and resolve. His injuries had worsened, and Kael could see the strain in his face.
"We need to move," Kael muttered, though he knew neither of them had the strength to fight their way out easily.
Kerric's gaze fell to the relic. "They're not here for us," he said softly. "They're here for that."
Kael's jaw tightened. He had known Kerric was hiding something, but the truth was starting to come into focus now.
"They'll take it, won't they?" Kael asked, his voice low.
Kerric nodded weakly. "They have to."
The chamber trembled as the first of the soldiers appeared at the entrance, their armor glinting faintly in the dim light. They moved with confidence , their eyes scanning the cave until they locked onto the relic. The leader, a tall man with a stern face, stepped forward, his sword drawn.
"Kerric," the leader said, his voice cold. "You've done well to get this far."
Kael's eyes flicked to Kerric, waiting for his response. Kerric didn't look at him. Instead, he kept his gaze on the soldiers, his face betraying none of the inner conflict Kael knew was eating away at him.
"You were ordered to retrieve the relic," the leader continued, his eyes narrowing. "Now, hand it over."
Kerric's breath came in short gasps, and for a moment, Kael thought he might cave, might surrender the relic and leave them both to whatever fate awaited. But then Kerric straightened, his hand reaching for the hilt of his sword, though he was barely strong enough to lift it.
"You won't take it," Kerric said quietly, his voice steady despite his weakened state.
The leader's expression hardened. "You defy your orders?"
Kerric's jaw clenched. "I made a mistake. I thought..."
His voice trailed off, and Kael saw the guilt in his eyes. Kerric wasn't just fighting for survival, he was fighting against years of loyalty, years of serving someone who had never cared about anything more than power.
The soldiers moved forward, their weapons drawn. Kael stepped in front of Kerric, his sword raised, though every movement sent pain coursing through his body.
"We're not handing it over," Kael growled.
The leader sneered. "You think you can stand against us? You're outnumbered, wounded, and cornered. Hand over the relic, and we might let you live."
Kael didn't lower his sword. His eyes were locked on the soldiers, his mind racing. They had fought too hard, lost too much, to give up now. But his gaze shifted briefly to Kerric. This wasn't his fight alone. If Kerric wavered, if he chose to side with the soldiers, it would be over in moments.
The silence stretched between them, the weight of the decision pressing down on Kerric. Kael could see the struggle on his face, the loyalty that had kept him bound to the noble for so long, clashing with the guilt that now gnawed at him. Kerric had lied, had kept secrets, but Kael also knew there was more to it.
Kerric's grip tightened on his sword, and he pushed himself to his feet, wavering but standing tall. "You don't know what you're asking for," he said, his voice hoarse but firm. "That relic... it's not just a tool. It's dangerous."
The leader took a step forward. "We know exactly what it is."
Kerric's eyes hardened. "Then you know it'll destroy everything."
Kael's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold.
Before the soldiers could respond, the sound of new footsteps echoed through the cave. The soldiers parted, their leader turning to face the newcomer. Kael's grip on his sword tightened as a figure stepped out of the shadows, his face concealed by the dim light.
But Kael knew who it was before he even spoke.
Silas.
He moved with an effortless grace, his presence commanding the attention of every soldier in the room.
"Kerric," Silas said smoothly, his voice dripping with authority. "You've done well."
Kerric's face paled, the conflict within him boiling to the surface. Kael's breath caught in his throat as Silas's gaze shifted to him, his expression unreadable.
"You've brought me quite the treasure," Silas continued, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "But I'm afraid it's time for you to step aside."
Kael's heart pounded in his chest as he stood his ground, his eyes locked on Silas. The intentions were clear, but Kael wasn't about to let him walk away with the relic.
Not without a fight.