The journey back to the capital was quiet, the wind carrying the faint rustle of leaves through the dark forest. The path ahead of them was uneven, twisting through the rugged terrain like a snake. Kael and Selene moved in silence, the weight of their victory hanging over them like a storm cloud. Both knew that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.
Kael's thoughts were distant, clouded by the dark presence still lingering inside him. No matter how much he tried to push it away, the Abyss had left its mark—deep, invisible, but undeniably there. He glanced at Selene from the corner of his eye. She seemed calm, focused, but there was an intensity in her gaze that hadn't been there before.
They were both different now.
As they reached the outskirts of the city, the towering walls of the capital loomed ahead, casting long shadows over the entrance. The guards, familiar with Kael and Selene's comings and goings, offered them nothing more than a nod as they passed through the gates. The capital was quieter than usual, its streets bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, the usual hustle subdued.
"Back to the Court, then?" Selene asked as they walked side by side, her voice cutting through the stillness of the night.
Kael nodded, his jaw clenched. "We'll need to report everything. And then… we'll figure out the next steps."
Selene's brow furrowed. "You don't sound convinced."
"I'm not," Kael admitted, his voice low. "The Court will want to use this knowledge. I can feel it. They won't be content with just keeping the Abyss sealed. They'll want to control it."
"That's what I'm afraid of too," Selene muttered, glancing around them as if someone might overhear their conversation. "But we don't have much choice, do we? They're the only ones powerful enough to protect the city if something happens again."
Kael couldn't argue with that. The Shadow Court, despite its secrecy and manipulations, was still the strongest organization in the realm. They had the resources, the knowledge, and the influence to keep dangerous forces like the Abyss at bay. But they were also known for their ruthlessness, for using any means necessary to maintain their power.
As they neared the grand, imposing building where the Shadow Court held its meetings, Kael's stomach churned with unease. The weight of what he was about to reveal pressed down on him. Would they see him as a threat now? Would they even believe what had happened in the temple?
The great iron doors swung open before them, and the familiar, dimly lit halls of the Court greeted them. The shadows seemed deeper here, darker, almost alive with unseen eyes watching their every step. Kael had never liked this place, and today it felt even more oppressive.
They were escorted into a large chamber by a silent figure in a hooded cloak, the traditional garb of the Court's attendants. The room was lined with ancient books and relics, artifacts from long-forgotten wars and battles fought in the name of power. At the far end, seated on a raised platform, were the members of the Shadow Council, the ruling body of the Court.
"Kael Armitage," one of the councilors spoke, his voice echoing in the cold chamber. "You return from the Abyss. What have you found?"
Kael stepped forward, feeling the weight of their eyes upon him. His heart raced, but he forced himself to speak steadily. "The gate is sealed, but the Abyss… it's not gone. It's still there, waiting. And I—"
He hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I've been marked by it. The Abyss left a part of itself inside me."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the chamber, the councilors exchanging concerned glances. The tension in the air thickened as the gravity of Kael's words sank in.
One of the elder councilors leaned forward, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Marked? Explain yourself, Armitage."
Kael met her gaze, refusing to back down. "When I closed the gate, I was… connected to the Abyss. I felt its power, its presence. And now, it's still inside me. I don't know how, but I can feel it."
Silence followed his words, the councilors contemplating the implications. Selene stood at his side, her hand subtly resting on the hilt of her dagger, ready for anything. She knew, just as Kael did, that the Court's response could be unpredictable.
Finally, the leader of the council spoke, his voice calm but laced with authority. "If what you say is true, then you are a danger to the realm. The Abyss is not something to be trifled with, Kael Armitage. It corrupts, it consumes."
Kael clenched his fists. "I know that. But I didn't ask for this. I'm not going to let the Abyss control me."
Another councilor, a man with a sharp, calculating look, spoke up. "We will have to monitor you closely. This… connection you speak of could be valuable to us. But it is also a risk. If the Abyss is using you as a conduit, then we must be prepared for the worst."
Kael's blood ran cold. "I'm not your experiment," he said, his voice hardening. "I came here because I thought the Court could help contain this power, not use it for your own purposes."
The sharp-eyed councilor smirked. "Contain it? Or wield it, perhaps? You carry the key to a power few could ever hope to control, Armitage. Don't be so quick to throw that away."
Kael's temper flared, but Selene placed a calming hand on his arm, her eyes warning him to tread carefully. "What he means," Selene interjected, her tone diplomatic, "is that we need guidance. Kael's connection to the Abyss can be controlled, but not without help. We're asking the Court for that help, not for exploitation."
The leader of the council seemed to consider her words. "Very well," he said at last, his voice measured. "We will provide you with the resources and support you need to understand this connection. But be warned, Kael Armitage—if you lose control, if the Abyss takes hold of you, we will not hesitate to do what is necessary to protect the realm."
Kael nodded, his mind still whirling. "Understood."
As they left the chamber, Kael's thoughts were a chaotic storm of emotions. He had come seeking answers, but the Court's response had only left him with more uncertainty. The Abyss was still lurking inside him, and now the Shadow Court was watching his every move.
"I don't trust them," Kael muttered as they stepped out into the night once more.
Selene sighed. "Neither do I. But for now, they're our best option."
Kael didn't respond. He simply stared up at the stars, wondering how long he had before the Abyss came calling once again.