He staggered back, pressing his palm to his temple as his vision blurred.
Kane! Kane, I need you! he called out mentally, his voice breaking through the haze of rage.
For a moment, there was nothing. Then Kane's voice came through the bond, shaking like a leaf caught in the wind. I—I'm here. What do I do?
Focus on me! Aelric pushed back against the seething instincts trying to drag him under. Help me push it back! We have to stop her—
I can't! Kane's panic spilled through the bond. I don't know how—this isn't like anything I've—
Kane! Aelric's voice cut through the rising fear.
The connection trembled, and for a moment, Kane's fear surged again. Then, like a hesitant hand reaching out in the dark, Aelric felt him. Kane's presence was small, trembling, but it was there. Together, they latched onto the bond.
Elysia's movements faltered, her claws trembling mid-strike. A snarl tore from her throat as she spun toward him, her glowing eyes filled with fury—and a flicker of recognition.
Kane, now! Aelric called through the bond, his desperation seeping through. I need you to believe we can do this!
I— Kane's voice was small, hesitant. I'm scared.
I know! Aelric shouted. But we don't have time for it. She needs us!
Through the bond, Kane's presence wavered, trembling like a candle in the wind. Then, slowly, he steadied. It wasn't perfect—it was shaky, unsure—but it was enough.
Okay, Kane said, his voice trembling but resolute. Let's do this.
The surge of combined willpower hit the bond like a flood, washing over the rage and smothering it like a tide extinguishing fire. Aelric pushed harder, anchoring the connection as he reached for Elysia.
And then… she blinked. The glow in her eyes dimmed, and her body slumped. She collapsed to her knees, her breaths coming in shallow gasps.
Aelric knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're okay," he said softly. "It's over."
"How… how did you do that?" she whispered.
Aelric glanced at Kane, whose hand still clutched his dagger, though his face was pale with exhaustion. "I don't fully understand it myself," Aelric admitted.
The group began to gather around them, their steps slow, expressions wary but softened by exhaustion. Lysa leaned on her spear, her sharp eyes scanning the smoldering battlefield before settling on Aelric. "Those Firebolts of yours," she said, her lips quirking into a wry smile. "That's a powerful Art you've mastered. If you can keep doing that, I'd say we're in decent hands."
Mira, wiping blood off her blade with the torn edge of her tunic, snorted. "Hands? Way to make it sound bad." She gave Aelric a tired, sideways grin. "But yeah, you kept us alive. Can't argue with results."
Joss grunted, tossing aside a shattered shield. "You're better than whatever we had before." He stepped closer, his tone gruff but not unkind. "If you'll have us, Aelric, I figure we're better off following you than trying our luck alone. Will you accept us?"
Aelric blinked, momentarily caught off guard by their straightforwardness. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice steady despite the disbelief flickering in his tone. "This path isn't going to get any easier."
Lysa snorted. "Wasn't easy before either. Difference is, with you, we're still breathing. That counts for a lot out here." She tapped her spear against the ground. "I've spent years hunting to stay alive. Sticking close to someone who can set Howlfangs on fire? Seems like a good idea."
A faint hum reverberated through the air, and glowing messages appeared before his eyes:
[New followers bonded: Lysa, Joss, Mira.]
But before he could process the notification, another message followed:
[Additional followers bonded: Lesser Howlfangs.]
His gaze snapped to the surviving Howlfangs. Without their Alpha, they huddled at the edges of the battlefield, their movements hesitant and subdued. Their molten eyes no longer burned with malice but with something akin to deference.
[As the slayer of their Alpha, you have inherited the right to command the pack. Lesser Howlfangs will obey your commands and fight under your banner as long as your will remains strong.]
"Even them?" Aleric murmured. He could feel them now—a faint, animalistic hum at the edges of his mind. It was not as clear as the bond with Kane, more instinct and impulse but the connection was undeniable.
Elysia struggled to her feet, her body trembling as she clutched her side. "You brought me back from that madness," she said, her voice raw with emotion. "No one has ever been able to do that before. I thought I was lost forever."
Aelric met her gaze. "You're not lost," he said simply.
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she took a shaky step closer. "I don't know how or why… but you stopped it. And if you can do that for me, maybe—maybe you can help my people too." She paused, her voice breaking. "Please. Come with me. To my homeland. There's more like me there—more fighting this madness."
The desperation in her tone was palpable, her eyes pleading. Aelric hesitated, the weight of her request sinking in. Before he could answer, a glowing screen interrupted him:
[Quest Completed: Trial of the Conqueror.]
[The Sovereign has acknowledged your achievement. You have received Karath's Dominion Mark of Combat.]
The air shifted, and Aelric felt a strange pull, as if the ground itself were drawing him away. Another message flashed:
[Condition fulfilled. Returning to your realm...]
"What's going on? No, Aelric you can't leave!" Elysia cried, reaching out as his form began to shimmer and fade. "Don't leave!"
But in a flash of light he vanished.
Aelric blinked, his vision clearing to reveal the familiar grandeur of the Hall of Ancestors. The air was still, the torches flickering softly along the walls adorned with the statues of his forebears.
Aelric blinked, the familiar glow of torchlight reflecting off polished stone columns making his eyes ache after the wild landscapes and battles he'd endured. He stood once again within the Hall of Ancestors. The grand marble effigies of Draythar kings and queens rose around him like silent judges. He drew a shaky breath, half-expecting to find himself alone, yet he was not.
A soft gasp came from behind him. "Where… where are we?" a voice asked.
Whirling, Aelric found himself facing Joss, Lysa, Kane, and Mira. Their eyes were wide with confusion and fear. Beyond them, the Howlfangs—still caked in blood and dust—panted quietly, clustering together in wary silence. The jagged stone hall, with its statues and tapestries, could not have been more different from the barren lands.
A flash of alarm crossed Lysa's face as she noticed the Howlfangs presence. She gripped her spear tightly, and Joss raised his short sword, heart pounding. Mira's hands shook as she reached for her dagger. The Howlfangs growled softly at the sudden hostility, their luminous eyes flitting from one human to another.
"Stop," Aelric commanded, stepping forward. He splayed his hands, palms out, positioning himself between the Howlfangs and his allies. "They won't harm you."
Lysa's knuckles whitened, but she did not attack. Mira's blade wavered uncertainly. Joss narrowed his eyes, clearly torn, and Kane swallowed hard. They all looked to Aelric for reassurance.
"I know this is a shock," Aelric continued, voice steady despite the knot in his chest. "This is my home. The Hall of Ancestors, to be precise. I… I don't know exactly how we all got transported here together." He hesitated, glancing at the Crown of Conquest, still clasped in his hand. Its garnets seemed to flicker in the dim torchlight. He didn't want more surprises from this artifact. He moved purposefully toward the pedestal at the hall's center and placed the crown back where it belonged. The metal rang softly as it settled into place.
"It's safe here," he said, though uncertainty gnawed at him. He remembered the emptiness he sensed outside this chamber, the hush that seemed to loom over the corridors. "Come. I'll find you a place to rest while I figure this out."
He led them through silent corridors and dimly lit halls. The castle felt eerily vacant—no servants bustling with linens, no guards at every turn, no whisper of courtly life. The emptiness made the hair on the back of his neck prickle. What happened while I was gone? He dared not linger on that question now.
Soon, they reached a series of guest chambers: modest rooms with beds, washbasins, and heavy drapes drawn tight against the night outside. "You can stay here," Aelric said, opening a door. The Howlfangs prowled at the threshold, uneasy in such enclosed spaces, but Aelric could feel their bond like a taut thread between them. They would not lash out. "Rest," he told his companions. "I know you have questions. I promise I'll explain everything as soon as I can. For now, trust me. The Howlfangs will not harm you."
Lysa and the others exchanged worried glances. Kane nodded first, then Mira, and at last Joss and Lysa lowered their weapons, warily accepting his words. Aelric left them behind, their nerves still taut but no longer at each other's throats.
He hurried deeper into the castle, passing corridors lit by flickering sconces. Not a soul crossed his path until he climbed a winding stair and emerged onto an upper balcony where a handful of soldiers patrolled. The chill night air bit at his sweat-soaked garments, and he must have looked a right sight: hair matted with dried blood, tunic and breeches stained from countless battles, boots worn through at the soles.
"Halt!" one soldier barked, lowering a halberd. Another guard stepped forward, sword half-drawn. They looked at him warily, as though he were a madman or intruder. "Identify yourself!"
Aelric lifted his chin. "I am Aelric Draythar," he said, voice ringing clearer than he expected. "Heir of the Draythar dynasty. King of Caelvaris."
The soldiers exchanged astonished glances. One leaned in, peering at him closely. Recognition dawned slowly, and the guard's eyes widened. "Your Majesty? It— it truly is you!" The man's voice cracked, caught between disbelief and relief.
His companion sheathed his sword hurriedly, snapping to attention. "How fared your search, sire? Are—are you all right? What happened?" they babbled questions, stepping aside to let him pass.
Aelric let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The city walls still stood. That meant the siege hadn't destroyed Caelvaris in his absence. "I'm fine," he managed. "Where is Selene? I need to see her immediately."
The guards exchanged relieved smiles. "The Lady Selene is in the War Chamber, sire," one reported.
*****
A/N:
Aleric is finally back home! After everything he's been through, there's a lot for him to process, but now is the perfect time to dive deeper into the world of magic. In the upcoming chapters, I'll be explaining it in more detail, addressing some of the doubts and questions you might have had so far.
Thank you for sticking with the story! Your comments, feedback, and support mean so much to me, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts. There's plenty more to come—stay tuned!