Chapter 10: The Leader Vorath
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the night, each step resonating like the herald of an impending disaster. Ren was exhausted, but the Codex in his hands pulsed more intensely than ever, as if it sensed the arrival of something impossible to ignore.
Kael stood firm, sword in hand, his eyes fixed on the direction from which the sound emanated. The wind seemed to carry an oppressive presence, something that made even the air feel heavy. Ren tried to focus, but a part of him already knew that what was coming was far beyond his capabilities.
From the shadows, he emerged.
Vorath.
His figure was imposing, cloaked in dark robes that seemed to absorb the light around him. He was tall, with eyes that glowed an ominous golden hue, like silent flames. In his hand, a black blade pulsated with energy—a physical extension of the Chain of Ruin, whose mere presence made the surroundings vibrate.
"Finally," Vorath said, his voice deep and controlled. He looked at Kael and Ren like a predator sizing up its prey. "The fragment is important, but I must admit, finding a bearer of the Codex makes this far more interesting."
Ren felt a chill. Vorath's energy was overwhelming, as if simply being near him drained his strength. The Codex pulsed frantically in his hands, as though trying to defend itself, but Ren knew he was powerless.
Kael stepped forward, placing himself between Vorath and Ren.
"If you want the Codex, you'll have to go through me."
Vorath smiled, but it was a humorless, soulless smile.
"A mortal challenging an immortal. I admire your courage, but… it will be your undoing."
Before Kael could respond, Vorath raised the black blade and struck. The attack was swift, almost impossible to follow, but Kael managed to block it with his sword, the impact creating a shockwave that made Ren stumble backward.
The fight began.
Kael moved with a skill Ren had never seen before. Every strike was precise, every dodge calculated. He seemed to dance between Vorath's attacks, using the terrain and even the energy around him to balance the power disparity. But Vorath was relentless. Every move he made was crushing, and the Chain of Ruin he wielded corroded everything it touched.
Ren tried to help. He opened the Codex, attempting to summon the energy that had aided him before, but this time the pages remained silent. He realized he was on his own. Kael was on his own.
The battle intensified. Kael managed to land a few strikes on Vorath, but none seemed to have any effect. Vorath's black blade sliced through the air with lethal precision, forcing Kael to retreat with every swing. Finally, Vorath found an opening. A direct strike hit Kael, sending him flying backward.
"It's useless," Vorath said, slowly walking toward Kael. "You cannot defeat me."
Kael, wounded, struggled to his feet. His sword trembled in his hand, but his eyes remained locked on Vorath.
"Maybe I can't," he said, panting. "But I'll make sure you don't touch him."
Kael glanced at Ren, his gaze heavy with something Ren didn't immediately understand. Then, he raised his sword, and his energy shifted. A golden light enveloped his blade, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with intensity.
"Ren! Run!" Kael shouted, before charging at Vorath with everything he had.
The strike was devastating. The golden energy collided with Vorath's Chain of Ruin, creating an explosion that illuminated the battlefield. Ren was thrown back by the impact, landing heavily on the ground. When he opened his eyes, he saw Kael and Vorath at the center of the explosion, their energies clashing in a final confrontation.
Ren tried to stand, but his body refused to obey. He watched as Kael delivered one last strike, but Vorath dodged it effortlessly. The black blade pierced through Kael, and Ren watched, helpless, as his mentor fell.
"No!" Ren screamed, his voice echoing into the night.
Vorath slowly turned to him, his expression cold and indifferent.
"And now? What will you do, bearer?"
Ren didn't know. Despair consumed him, but then the Codex reacted. A wave of energy erupted from the book, enveloping Ren in an intense light. Before Vorath could strike, the energy completely surrounded him, and Ren was transported away from the battlefield.