**Chapter 16: Internal Conflict**
Riven stood in the silence of the alley, his breath coming in heavy gasps as the weight of Alcaris's words lingered in the air. The noble's cryptic remarks about Nyx had shaken him, and now, as he stood with Nyx at his side, a storm raged inside him. His hand trembled slightly as he reached out to her, but it wasn't just from the chill of the night air. No, this tremor came from deeper within—an unsettling feeling that had begun to unravel the very foundation of everything he thought he knew.
Nyx stood there, her stance tense, her body coiled like a spring ready to snap. Her eyes flickered between Riven and Alcaris, her growl rumbling low in her throat. The bond between them, once so unwavering, now felt fragile, like a thread stretched too thin.
"Nyx..." Riven whispered, his voice strained, desperate to reach her. But the gap between them felt wider now, as though something had come between them that he couldn't understand. Alcaris had planted seeds of doubt, and it was hard to ignore the weight of the truth—what if Nyx wasn't who he thought she was? What if their bond wasn't as pure as he believed?
Alcaris watched them with a smile that seemed to mock the very air between them. "You're making a mistake, Riven. She's not your partner, not your ally. She's something far more dangerous. You've only scratched the surface of what she could be, what she's meant to be. And when you unleash her true power, there's no turning back."
Riven clenched his fists at his sides. "I don't care what you say. I know Nyx. I trust her."
Alcaris's expression turned cold. "Trust? You trust her? You think she's free of the past? That the bond you share is enough to protect you both? It's a lie, Riven. She is bound by forces beyond your comprehension. You're playing with fire, and you don't even know it."
The words echoed in Riven's mind, churning like a storm. What if Alcaris was right? What if he was blind to something about Nyx, something crucial that could endanger them both? The uncertainty was eating at him, gnawing away at the confidence he had once held in their connection.
Nyx's growl deepened, cutting through his thoughts like a knife. The tension in her body was palpable, and her eyes flickered with something darker—something distant. Riven could feel her hesitance, her confusion, and it was as though a wall was slowly rising between them. The bond they shared had always been a source of strength, but now, it felt more like a fragile thread.
For a brief moment, Riven considered Alcaris's words. Could it be true? Could Nyx really be something more than a partner, a friend? Was she truly tied to a dark past, a power that even he couldn't control? The thought was terrifying. He had fought so hard to build a bond with her, to earn her trust, but now, in the face of this revelation, all of it felt uncertain.
"Nyx..." Riven whispered again, his voice barely audible. His heart pounded in his chest as he reached out a hand toward her. "I trust you. Please, don't pull away from me."
Nyx's eyes softened for a brief moment, her body relaxing ever so slightly. But then, the hesitation returned. She stepped back, her fur bristling, her tail stiff with tension. Riven's heart sank. She was afraid—afraid of something, or perhaps, afraid of him.
Alcaris watched the exchange with quiet amusement. "See, Riven? You can't control her. You never could. And you never will. The more you try to bind her to you, the more she'll break free, and when that happens, you'll regret it."
Riven's jaw tightened. He wouldn't let Alcaris win. Not like this. Not by tearing apart the bond between him and Nyx. He took a step forward, his resolve hardening.
"Shut up, Alcaris," Riven said, his voice steady and strong. "You think you can destroy everything I've built with her? You think you can tear us apart with your lies? You're wrong. I'm not backing down. I'll protect her—no matter what."
Alcaris's eyes narrowed, his smile turning into something more sinister. "You're choosing her over your mission, Riven? Over everything you've worked for? You're not thinking clearly. If you protect her, you'll be walking straight into my trap. You'll lose everything."
Riven felt a pang of doubt, sharp and quick, but it wasn't enough to sway him. Nyx had been with him since the beginning, had fought by his side when no one else would. She had trusted him, just as he had trusted her. The thought of abandoning her, of turning his back on the one constant in his life, was unthinkable.
"Everything I've worked for..." Riven muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness. "What good is any of it if I lose her? What's the point of a mission if I can't protect the people who matter to me?"
Nyx's eyes locked with his, a flicker of recognition in them. It was small, but it was enough. Riven knew she understood. The bond between them wasn't just about power—it was about trust, about partnership. No matter what Alcaris said, no matter what darkness lingered in Nyx's past, Riven would stand by her.
"I'm not leaving you," Riven whispered, his words barely audible. "I won't let you go. We'll face this together."
Alcaris's sneer faltered for a moment, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're making a grave mistake, Riven. You'll see. This bond, this... connection you have with her? It'll be your undoing."
But Riven wasn't listening anymore. He had made his choice. He would protect Nyx, no matter the cost.
With a final glance at Alcaris, Riven turned his back on the noble. He didn't need to hear any more of his taunts, any more of his lies. The man had tried to manipulate him, to tear apart the bond he shared with Nyx, but Riven had seen through it.
"Let's go, Nyx," Riven said, his voice firm. "We're leaving."
Nyx hesitated for only a moment before she stepped forward, her gaze never leaving Riven. The bond between them had shifted, had become stronger in a way that he hadn't expected. There was no longer doubt in his heart—he had made the right choice. They would face whatever came next together.
As they walked away from Alcaris, the air seemed to shift around them, heavy with the weight of their decision. Riven could feel Nyx's presence beside him, her energy calm but steady, as though she had made her own choice as well. She trusted him. And in that moment, Riven knew that no matter what darkness lay ahead, they would face it together.
The path wasn't clear, and the dangers were still out there. But Riven had chosen Nyx, and in doing so, he had strengthened the bond between them—one that no noble, no power, could ever break.