Shen sat in the inner sanctuary of the Dark Sect's fortress, far from the dense forest where Kael and Arin's lives were in peril. An orb on a pedestal before him emitted an awful, red glare, lighting the space. Its whirling mists reflected in his calculating eyes, the subtle whispers of its magic only heard by those tuned to its force. Shen leaned out to touch the orb, his long fingers brushing over its surface, curving his lips into a chilly smile.
"The mission moves as expected," he said, his voice quiet and methodical. Kael and Arin, though, are expendable.
A man emerged from the shadows behind him wearing dark robes sewn with silver sigils. Shen's most reliable lieutenant, Mira, created his contingency preparations and oversaw this. Her keen eyes radiated intelligence and unflinching allegiance.
Do you really think they will fail, Master Shen? Her voice was fluid but slightly curious.
Shen laughed softly, never looking away from the sphere. "Failure is a possibility, Mira. The strength of a leader is not in wishing for success but in getting ready for every possibility.
Mira bent her head to agree. "We have the contingency prepared." Should I forward?
Shen nodded, shadows created by the orb softly accentuating his angular features. Exactly. If they don't return with the formula or knowledge, you'll prevent our plans from being delayed. Spread the shadows.
Mira's lips curved into a little smile. "As you command." Her footsteps quieted as she turned to enter the corridor beyond the sanctum.
— — —
Sitting beside the creek, Kael watched the healer tend to Arin, and his head was full of ideas. The woodland all around them seemed to be silently breathing. The healer moved precisely, his hands firm even in the weight of the circumstances.
The healer broke the quiet by saying, "He'll live." But he will need some downtime. Coming back for assistance was wise.
Kael nodded, his face not clear. "I appreciate it."
The physician peered at him, his eyes sharp. Not yet, thank you for me. You have sent peril right to my door. The guys that attacked you are not typical. Should they be pursuing the formula, your master will not stop until he finds it.
Kael stiffened her jaw. He could see the healer was correct. Shen used brutal techniques and had relentless goals. Kael, though, couldn't get rid of the sense that something about this mission didn't fit. The ambush, the timing, and even the way the assailants had fought all suggested a more extensive scheme.
"What do you know about the Soul Rebirth Formula?" Kael inquired, his voice low.
The healer stopped, his hands quiet for a brief instant. "Enough knowledge to know it's not something your sect ought to have." He started again, his voice wary. "The formula is not just a recipe." It serves as a key to something far greater. It is a secret that should remain undiscovered.
Kael's eyes grew narrower. "What's a key to?"
The healer looked back at him, gloomy. This force has the potential to either enhance or devastate the planet. In the wrong hands, it is an instrument of almost unthinkable devastation.
Kael's ideas took off. Shen had long talked about the formula as a tool to ensure their supremacy and strengthen the Dark Sect. But the healer's comments suggested a far worse reality, one Kels wasn't sure he was ready to confront.
— — —
Mira walked deliberately across the maze-like hallways back to the Dark Sect stronghold. She went into a quiet chamber where several dark figures awaited her. These were the Shadows, a top-notch squad devoted just to Shen and taught in stealth and assassination.
"The master has given the order," Mira said, her voice strong. "Kael and Arin's mission today is secondary. You have to get the formula using whatever means are required. Should the healer object, kill him.
With dark hoods hiding their faces, the Shadows nodded together. With swift and silent movements, they dispersed without uttering a single word. Mira watched them go, a flutter of discomfort across her features. She had always trusted Shen's judgment, but this mission felt improper.
----
Sitting by the fire, the healer and Arin rested close by; Kael's instincts twitched. The air was still; the woodland appeared too peaceful. Rising to his feet, his hand naturally swung to the hilt of his sword.
The healer inquired, his voice low, "What is it?
With his eyes darting over the darkness, Kael responded, "We're under observation."
An abrupt stir in the underbrush confirmed his suspicions. Kael pulled his sword, the sound of steel cutting the air keen and forceful.
"Show yourselves!" he exhorted, his voice resonating over the clearing.
Silence descended for a minute. Then a person emerged from the darkness, their motions deliberate and fluid. Their hand caught the firelight in a faint gleam from a dagger.
"Kael," the man murmured, his voice cool but tinged with threat. You have veered from your road.
Kael gripped his blade more tightly. And you have gone past a line.
The man leaned forward, a small smile flickering on his lips. "The master expected this." He consistently does.
More people surfaced from the darkness encircling the clearing before Kael could react. The Shadows had arrived, a terrible reminder of Shen's authority and reach.
The first figure said, "We've outnumbered you." "Surrender the Healer and the formula; we will spare your life."
Kael's eyes strayed to the healer, who stood motionless, her face a mix of terror and defiance. Arin lay comatose close by, blind to the risk.
Kael responded, his voice unwavering despite all the odds, "You'll have to kill me first."
The Shadows advanced with exact, synchronized motions. Knowing that this combat would test not only his ability but also his will, Kael raised his sword, ready to fight. He was first starting to doubt the road that had gotten him here, the allegiance that had defined his life.
And Kael understood there was no turning back as the first collision of steel reverberated over the woodland.