Chapter 21 - Unseen Eyes
The air stilled in the aftermath of the explosion, the swirling motes of Void energy lingering like embers after a fire. Kael staggered upright, his body aching, the shadows rippling around him like restless predators. The Abyssal Titan was gone, but its destruction had left a gaping scar on the land—a jagged crater surrounded by uprooted trees and shattered stone.
Ciaran wiped blood from the corner of his mouth as he retrieved his blade from the ground. "Well," he muttered, his voice edged with exhaustion, "that was a nightmare."
Kael let out a bitter laugh, leaning heavily on his scythe. "Is that what you call it? Looked more like the apocalypse to me."
Ciaran's golden eyes scanned the destruction, his grip tightening on his sword. "Apocalypse or not, it's only going to get worse."
Kael frowned, his gaze narrowing. "What do you mean by that?"
Before Ciaran could answer, slow, deliberate clapping echoed across the battlefield.
Kael turned sharply, shadows coiling tighter around him. The Void Hunter leader stood at the edge of the crater, their helmet tucked under one arm. Their face was revealed now—a woman with sharp, angular features and a cruel smirk that didn't quite reach her cold, calculating eyes.
"Impressive, Stormcloak," she said, her voice smooth and mocking. "I didn't expect you to survive, let alone destroy one of the Crown's Titans. Perhaps there's more to you than I thought."
Kael raised his scythe, the weapon humming with latent energy. "If you want to find out, come closer."
She chuckled, ignoring his threat. "Such bravado. But don't mistake surviving one battle for winning the war. This was a test, nothing more."
Ciaran stepped forward, his blade raised defensively. "A test for what?"
Her gaze flicked to him briefly before returning to Kael. "For him. The Crown wants to know if he's worth the effort. Congratulations, Stormcloak—you've proven yourself a thorn in their side."
Kael's jaw tightened. "You think I care what the Crown thinks?"
"You should," she replied. "They've decided you're a threat. And threats are dealt with swiftly."
The ground beneath Kael's feet trembled faintly, a reminder of the devastation he had just unleashed. He took a step forward, his shadows lashing out like coiled serpents. "If they want me, tell them to come themselves. I'm tired of fighting their puppets."
Her smirk widened, and for a moment, Kael thought he saw something flicker behind her eyes—a trace of amusement or curiosity. "Careful what you wish for, boy. The Crown doesn't play fair."
Ciaran's voice cut through the tension. "Enough of your games. If you're not here to fight, leave."
She inclined her head mockingly. "As you wish. But remember, Stormcloak—this is only the beginning. The Void has a way of revealing what lies beneath the surface. I wonder what it will uncover in you."
Before Kael could respond, she turned and walked away, her soldiers following in eerie silence. They vanished into the shadows as though the forest itself had swallowed them.
The Weight of Power
Kael exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping as the tension ebbed. The shadows around him retreated reluctantly, curling at his feet like smoke. He turned to Ciaran, his expression hard. "What did she mean by that?"
Ciaran sheathed his blade, his eyes darkening. "The Void doesn't just give power—it takes. The more you use it, the more it reveals. You think you're in control, but that control is an illusion. If you're not careful, it'll strip you bare."
Kael's gaze flicked to his hands, where faint traces of shadow still lingered. "I didn't ask for this."
"Doesn't matter," Ciaran said flatly. "You have it now. And the Crown's not wrong—you are a threat. To them, to this world… maybe even to yourself."
Kael clenched his fists, the shadows flaring briefly before subsiding. "Then I'll just have to prove them wrong."
Ciaran's lips quirked into a faint, humorless smile. "Good luck with that."
Unseen Eyes
The forest was unnervingly quiet as they began their journey away from the battlefield. The devastation left in their wake was undeniable—fallen trees, jagged fissures in the earth, and a lingering hum of Void energy that refused to dissipate.
Kael's senses felt heightened, his awareness sharper than ever. He could feel the weight of unseen eyes watching them from the darkness, their presence like a cold whisper against his skin.
"Do you feel that?" he asked, his voice low.
Ciaran nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We're being followed."
Kael's grip tightened on his scythe. "More Hunters?"
"No," Ciaran said, his tone uneasy. "Something else."
Before Kael could press him, a shadow shifted in the distance. It was subtle—barely more than a flicker—but Kael's instincts screamed danger.
"Get ready," Ciaran muttered, his blade sliding free with a soft hiss.
The shadows moved again, closer this time. Kael's heart raced as a figure emerged from the darkness. It wasn't a Void Hunter, nor was it a creature like the Titan.
The figure was cloaked in black, their face obscured by a hood. But Kael could feel the power radiating from them—a cold, suffocating presence that made the air around them feel heavy.
"Kael Stormcloak," the figure said, their voice smooth and emotionless. "You've drawn the attention of powers far beyond the Crown."
Kael raised his scythe, the shadows bristling around him. "Who are you?"
The figure didn't answer immediately. Instead, they raised a hand, and the shadows around them twisted unnaturally, bending to their will.
Kael's breath caught. "You can control the Void?"
The figure's lips curved into a faint smile. "Control? No. The Void cannot be controlled. But it can be… guided."
Ciaran stepped between them, his blade raised. "Stay back. Whatever you are, we're not interested in your games."
The figure tilted their head, as though considering Ciaran's words. "You misunderstand. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to observe."
"Observe what?" Kael demanded.
"You," the figure replied simply. "The Void has chosen you, but it is far from finished. You will face trials, Stormcloak. And when you do, we will see if you are worthy."
Before Kael could respond, the figure vanished, their form dissolving into the shadows as though they had never been there.
Kael lowered his scythe, his thoughts churning. "What was that?"
Ciaran shook his head, his expression grim. "Trouble. And it's only just begun."
End of Chapter 21