The chamber was eerily quiet, the oppressive magic that filled the air seeming to hold its breath as Naome prepared the ritual. Her soft chants echoed in the vast underground space, her celestial light glowing faintly as she traced symbols of protection in the air. The others stood guard, their eyes scanning the dark corners of the room, waiting for the inevitable attack they knew would come.
Seraphine kept her distance from the group, her mind still reeling from the encounter with the dark magic that pulsed beneath the city. The voice of Baldu Ra had gone silent, but its presence lingered, like a shadow that clung to the edges of her thoughts. She could feel the weight of the others' eyes on her, their unspoken suspicions hanging in the air.
She couldn't blame them. She had come so close to touching the power beneath the platform, so close to giving in to the seductive promises that Baldu Ra had whispered in her mind. And even now, as Naome worked to contain the magic, a part of Seraphine still craved it.
You can't trust them.
The thought slithered into her mind before she could stop it. She had tried to push it away, but the doubt lingered, gnawing at her like a persistent itch. Haru, Borgak, Lirael, Naome they didn't understand her. They couldn't. They were bound by their oaths, their loyalty to some higher purpose. But Seraphine's path had always been her own, and the darkness in Kharith had seen that. It had called to her for a reason.
"We're running out of time," Haru said, his voice low as he glanced at Naome. "How long will this take?"
"I need a few more minutes," Naome replied, her voice tight with concentration. "The magic here is old, twisted. It's not something I can just dispel. I have to bind it."
Lirael stood at the far edge of the chamber, her bow drawn, her eyes scanning the shadows. "We won't have much longer. Something's coming."
Borgak, his greatsword resting on his shoulder, gave a sharp nod. "Then we stand ready. Whatever comes, we'll face it together."
Seraphine flinched at the word *together*. It sounded hollow to her, an empty promise made by people who didn't truly know what it meant to be alone. She had fought her entire life to survive, to harness her magic in a world that feared and rejected her. Now, here in the ruins of Kharith, she stood on the precipice of something greater something that could change everything. And yet, these people, these strangers, were trying to hold her back.
You don't need them, Seraphine.
The voice came again, clearer this time, and Seraphine's heart raced as she felt the dark magic stirring within her. It was Baldu Ra. His presence was still there, buried beneath the surface, waiting for her to reach out and claim the power that was rightfully hers.
They will never understand you. They will never accept you. But I will. You are destined for greatness, Seraphine. Take the power. Take it, and you will be free.
Seraphine's hands trembled as she clenched them into fists, fighting the temptation that pulsed through her veins. She could feel the dark magic coiling around her, seeping into her thoughts, twisting her desires. She didn't want to give in, but the promise of power, of freedom, was too strong.
And then, without thinking, Seraphine stepped forward.
Naome glanced up, her eyes widening in alarm as she saw Seraphine approaching the platform once more. "Seraphine, what are you doing? Stay back!"
Seraphine's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the platform, the dark magic swirling around it like a living thing. The voices in her mind were louder now, clearer. They urged her forward, promising her everything she had ever wanted.
You are stronger than them, Seraphine. You don't need their help. You don't need their judgment. Take the power, and they will kneel before you.
"Seraphine!" Naome's voice was sharp with fear, but Seraphine barely heard her.
In a blur of movement, Haru stepped in front of her, his katana drawn, his eyes locked on hers. "Don't," he said, his voice low and cold. "Don't do this."
Seraphine's breath caught in her throat as she met Haru's gaze. There was no anger in his eyes, only a deep, quiet resolve. He was trying to protect her, she realized. He didn't trust her, but he didn't want to hurt her either. But Haru didn't understand none of them did.
"I don't have a choice," Seraphine whispered, her voice trembling. "You don't know what it's like. You've never been like me."
Haru's jaw tightened, his grip on his katana firm. "You always have a choice."
The words hung between them, heavy with meaning. For a moment, Seraphine hesitated, her mind warring with itself. She didn't want to hurt them. But the magic… the power… it was too strong to resist.
And then, something inside her snapped.
The dark magic surged through her, and before she could stop herself, Seraphine raised her hand and unleashed a blast of energy. The force of it sent Haru flying backwards, crashing into the stone wall with a sickening thud. He collapsed to the ground, motionless.
The others reacted instantly. Borgak roared in fury, his greatsword swinging toward Seraphine as he charged forward. Lirael's bow was drawn in a heartbeat, an arrow aimed directly at Seraphine's heart.
But Seraphine was faster.
She raised her hand again, and a wall of dark energy erupted from the ground, separating her from the others. Borgak's sword slammed into the barrier, but it held firm, the dark magic swirling around it like a storm. Lirael's arrow struck the barrier and dissolved into nothingness.
"Seraphine, stop!" Naome cried, her voice filled with desperation. "This isn't you!"
Seraphine's chest heaved with the effort of holding the barrier in place, her mind a whirlwind of chaos and emotion. She didn't want to hurt them. She didn't want to be this. But the power… the power was intoxicating. It filled her with strength, with purpose, with everything she had ever craved.
And the voice of Baldu Ra whispered in her mind, coaxing her, guiding her.
This is your destiny, Seraphine. You are stronger than all of them. They will never accept you. But I will. Together, we can reshape this world.
Seraphine's heart pounded as she looked down at her hands, the dark magic swirling around them like a living thing. She could feel the weight of the power she had unleashed, and a part of her revelled in it. She had never felt so strong, so free.
But at the same time, she felt sick. The power wasn't hers. It belonged to the darkness, to Baldu Ra. And the more she used it, the more it consumed her.
Naome took a step forward, her eyes pleading. "Seraphine, you don't have to do this. You can fight it."
Seraphine's hand trembled as she lowered it, the dark magic swirling around her beginning to fade. For a brief moment, she hesitated, torn between the promise of power and the desperate plea of her friend.
But then the voice came again, louder, stronger than before.
They will turn on you, Seraphine. They will never trust you. You are better off without them. Take the power. It's yours.
Seraphine clenched her fists, her jaw tightening as the voice filled her mind. She could feel the darkness pressing in on her, twisting her thoughts, feeding her fears.
And then, with a surge of desperation, she made her choice.
The dark magic flared to life once more, the barrier around her solidifying as she turned her back on the group. She couldn't fight it anymore. The power was too strong, and the voice of Baldu Ra had become her only truth.
"I'm sorry," Seraphine whispered, her voice breaking as she stepped toward the platform, her eyes fixed on the dark magic that pulsed beneath it. "But this is the only way."
Naome's heart shattered as she watched Seraphine walk away, her figure disappearing into the swirling darkness. There was nothing she could do now.
The betrayal was complete.
Seraphine had made her choice, and the darkness of Kharith had claimed her. The fragile bond between the group had been shattered, and as Seraphine disappeared into the shadows, the others were left to pick up the pieces. Haru lay unconscious, his body broken, and the weight of Seraphine's betrayal hung heavily over them all. The battle for Kharith had only just begun, and the true cost of the darkness was yet to be revealed.