The clearing was silent again, the faint smell of ash and smoke lingering in the air. The group stood among the scattered remnants of their battle, the eerie symbol etched into the ground still glowing faintly.
Caius stared at the spot where the masked figure had vanished, his flames flickering around his hands before dying out. He clenched his fists, the shard's pulsing hum a constant presence in his chest.
Elara sheathed her sword, turning to face him. "You had them cornered," she said, her tone sharp. "Why didn't you finish it?"
Caius didn't meet her gaze, his blue eyes fixed on the ground. "It wasn't the right time."
Elara frowned, stepping closer. "Not the right time? They'll just come after us again. You know that."
"They always come back," the stranger added, their silver eyes glinting with faint amusement. "It's practically a rule with people like that."
Caius's jaw tightened. "I'm not a murderer."
Elara crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "They're not innocent, Caius. They're hunting us—hunting you. They won't stop until they get what they want."
"That doesn't mean I have to become like them," Caius said, his voice low but firm.
Elara stared at him, her emerald eyes searching his face. "This isn't about mercy, is it? It's about you."
Caius hesitated, his hand brushing against the satchel at his side. "I've seen what happens when power like this is used for killing. The Keeper warned me. The shards don't just give power—they change you. And I'm not going to let them turn me into a monster."
Elara's expression softened slightly, though her frustration remained. "You're not a monster, Caius. You're nothing like the Demon King."
"Aren't I?" Caius said quietly, his gaze distant. "The power in these shards—it's his. Every time I use it, I feel… less like myself. If I start killing, even if it's justified, what's to stop me from going too far?"
Elara placed a hand on his arm, her touch grounding him. "Your choices, Caius. That's what separates you from him. You don't have to lose yourself to this power."
Caius glanced at her, his blue eyes shadowed. "What if I already am?"
The stranger leaned against a nearby tree, their arms crossed as they watched the exchange. "I get it, boy. You want to keep your hands clean. But if you let your enemies walk away every time, all you're doing is giving them another chance to stab you in the back."
Elara nodded, her voice firm. "Exactly. You're trying to save lives, but how many more people will die because you let them escape? At some point, you have to decide where to draw the line."
Caius shook his head, his voice hardening. "I'll draw the line where it matters—protecting people. Not taking lives unless I have no other choice."
The stranger smirked faintly. "Noble. But dangerous. You're betting a lot on people like that masked figure playing fair."
"They won't," Caius said simply. "But I'm not going to lose myself because of them."
As the conversation faded, the group moved away from the clearing, their path winding deeper into the forest. The tension between Caius and Elara lingered, though neither spoke.
When they stopped to rest by a shallow stream, Elara sat beside Caius, her emerald eyes thoughtful.
"You're afraid," she said quietly.
Caius glanced at her, frowning. "What?"
"You're afraid of what the shards will do to you," Elara continued. "I get that. But Caius… you can't keep fighting this battle with one hand tied behind your back. Sometimes mercy isn't the right choice."
Caius looked away, his jaw tightening. "Maybe. But I have to believe there's another way. If I lose that, I lose everything."
Elara sighed, her expression softening. "I don't agree with you. But I understand. Just… don't let that fear hold you back, okay? If you're too afraid to act, someone else will make the choice for you."
Caius nodded, though the flicker of doubt in his chest remained.
As the group continued their journey, the forest began to thin, the trees giving way to rolling hills bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. The shard's pull had grown fainter, though its presence was still a constant hum in Caius's mind.
The stranger, walking ahead, stopped suddenly, their silver eyes narrowing as they scanned the horizon.
"We've got company," they said, their voice low.
Caius and Elara moved forward, their hands drifting to their weapons as they followed the stranger's gaze. In the distance, a plume of smoke rose from a small village nestled in the hills.
"Another attack?" Elara asked, her tone grim.
"Maybe," the stranger said. "Or something worse."
Caius tightened his grip on his dagger, his flames flickering faintly to life. "We'll find out soon enough."
As they approached the village, the sound of raised voices and clashing steel reached their ears. Shadows moved among the buildings, and the faint glow of firelight illuminated the chaos within.
Caius quickened his pace, his flames burning brighter. Whatever was happening, it was clear they didn't have much time.
Elara moved beside him, her sword drawn and her expression determined. "This time, we finish it."
Caius glanced at her, his jaw tightening. "We'll do what we have to."
Elara nodded, though her gaze lingered on him. "Let's hope that's enough."