Chapter 2: A Fragile Alliance
Eira followed Kael through the ashen wilderness, her mind racing with questions. Who was this man, really? His claim to be a survivor of the Iceborne clan seemed plausible—his frosted blade and the icy aura around him were proof enough. Yet something about him felt... dangerous. She couldn't decide if it was the haunted look in his eyes or the way he seemed to move as though he was more shadow than man.
Still, she had little choice but to trust him. The Inferna were growing stronger with every passing day, and if Kael truly knew how to seal the rift, she had to take the chance.
"Where are we going?" Eira asked, her voice cutting through the eerie quiet.
"To the Hollow Ridge," Kael replied without looking back. "There's an ancient shrine there. If the relic you carry is as powerful as I believe, it can amplify its energy. We'll need it if we're to close the rift."
Eira frowned. "And why do you know so much about this?"
Kael paused, turning to face her. His icy blue eyes seemed to pierce through her, as if weighing whether she could handle the truth. "Because I've spent the last ten years studying the rift. Trying to fix what the Fire Priests broke."
Eira bristled at the mention of the Fire Priests, her grip tightening on the relic. "You mean what my mother broke."
Kael's gaze softened, but only slightly. "I'm not blaming you for her mistakes, Eira. But you're part of this now, whether you like it or not."
She wanted to argue, to push back against the weight he was placing on her shoulders. But deep down, she knew he was right. The relic had chosen her for a reason—though she still wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a curse.
They pressed on, the air growing colder as they approached the Hollow Ridge. The land here was jagged and treacherous, with cliffs that jutted out like broken teeth. Frost clung to the edges of the rocks, a stark contrast to the ever-present heat of Ashara.
Eira pulled her cloak tighter around herself, shivering. "Why is it so cold here?"
Kael glanced back at her. "The Hollow Ridge is where the Iceborne made their final stand. When the rift was opened, the Inferna slaughtered them all. The cold you feel is all that remains of their magic—a ghostly echo of what once was."
Eira looked around, suddenly feeling very small amidst the towering cliffs and icy winds. "You were there, weren't you?"
Kael nodded, his jaw tightening. "I watched my family burn. My friends, my home—everything. I survived only because..." He trailed off, his expression darkening.
"Because what?" Eira pressed.
Kael's voice was barely a whisper. "Because I made a deal with an Inferna Lord."
The words hit her like a physical blow. "You... what?"
Kael turned to face her fully, his expression hard. "I didn't have a choice. Zareth, one of the most powerful Inferna, offered me a pact. He would spare my life in exchange for my service. I accepted, thinking I could use his power against him. But the price..."
He held up his hand, and for the first time, Eira noticed the faint, fiery markings that snaked up his wrist. "The curse binds me to Ashara. I can't leave this land until the rift is sealed—and I can't seal it without the relic you carry."
Eira stared at him, torn between pity and distrust. "So what happens if we succeed? Does the curse end?"
Kael's lips curved into a bitter smile. "That's the idea. But I've learned not to get my hopes up."
They continued in silence, the weight of Kael's confession hanging heavy between them.
As they approached the shrine, Eira felt a strange pull from the relic. It pulsed in her hand, its glow growing brighter with every step. She glanced at Kael, who seemed to sense it too.
"We're close," he said.
The shrine was carved into the side of a massive cliff, its entrance framed by two crumbling statues of Iceborne warriors. The air was thick with magic, an electric charge that made Eira's skin prickle.
"Stay alert," Kael warned. "The Inferna don't like visitors."
No sooner had he spoken than a low growl echoed through the air. Shadows moved in the corners of Eira's vision, and she drew her dagger, her heart pounding.
From the darkness emerged a group of Inferna sentinels—tall, humanoid creatures wreathed in black flames. Their molten eyes glowed with malice as they advanced, their claws sparking against the icy ground.
"Get to the shrine!" Kael shouted, unsheathing his frosted blade.
Eira hesitated, torn between staying to help him and following his orders. But the look in Kael's eyes left no room for argument.
"Go!" he barked, charging at the sentinels.
Eira turned and ran, the relic clutched tightly in her hand. She could hear the clash of steel and the roars of the Inferna behind her, but she forced herself to focus on the shrine ahead.
The entrance loomed before her, a dark maw that seemed to swallow the light. She hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside, her breath catching as she took in the sight.
The interior of the shrine was breathtaking. Icy crystals jutted out from the walls, casting a faint blue glow that illuminated ancient carvings. At the center of the chamber was a pedestal, and atop it was a shallow bowl filled with shimmering liquid.
The relic pulsed in her hand, its glow resonating with the energy of the shrine. Eira approached the pedestal, her heart pounding.
"Now what?" she muttered, placing the relic into the bowl.
As soon as the crystal touched the liquid, the entire chamber lit up with blinding light. Eira shielded her eyes, feeling the ground tremble beneath her feet.
When the light faded, she turned to see Kael standing in the doorway, bloodied but alive. He stumbled toward her, his frosted blade dragging behind him.
"Did it work?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Eira looked down at the relic, which now floated above the bowl, its glow more intense than ever. "I don't know. I think we've only just begun."
Kael nodded grimly. "Then we'd better be ready for whatever comes next."
The sound of distant roars echoed through the shrine, a chilling reminder that their fight was far from over.