Chapter Seven: The King's Game
The days passed in a blur of grueling training and sleepless nights. Aeliana pushed herself to the edge of her limits, determined to master the power within her. The ember of magic no longer felt foreign—it was part of her now, a fire she had learned to stoke and wield. Yet, the looming presence of Kaelion hung over her like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of what she was up against.
Her lessons with Eryndor became increasingly demanding. He was relentless, pushing her to tap into deeper wells of magic, to hone her instincts and refine her control. She learned to summon barriers, to channel her magic into sharp, destructive blasts, and even to manipulate the energy around her to create illusions. But no matter how far she progressed, the weight of Kaelion's expectations lingered in the back of her mind.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold, a summons arrived. A fae servant—silent and efficient—appeared at her door, delivering a simple message.
"The king requests your presence in the throne room."
Aeliana's stomach churned. She hadn't seen Kaelion since their last encounter, and the thought of facing him again filled her with unease. But she refused to let him see her fear.
Steeling herself, she followed the servant through the winding corridors of the palace. The halls seemed to stretch endlessly, their grandeur a stark contrast to the weight pressing down on her chest. When they finally reached the massive double doors of the throne room, the servant stepped aside, bowing silently.
With a deep breath, Aeliana pushed the doors open.
A Court of Shadows
The throne room was just as imposing as she remembered. The walls shimmered with dark magic, and the runes carved into the obsidian floor seemed to pulse with a life of their own. At the far end of the chamber sat Kaelion, his regal figure draped in black and silver. His mismatched eyes locked onto her the moment she entered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Aeliana," he said, his voice smooth and dangerous. "You've been busy."
She forced herself to meet his gaze, her steps measured as she approached. "You summoned me," she said evenly. "Why?"
Kaelion leaned back in his throne, resting his chin on his hand as he studied her. "Your training has been… satisfactory," he said. "Eryndor tells me you've made progress."
"Is that a compliment?" she asked, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
Kaelion's smirk widened. "A rare one. Don't waste it."
She stopped a few feet from the throne, her posture tense but defiant. "If you called me here to evaluate my progress, you've seen me. I'll be going now."
Kaelion chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Not so fast. I didn't summon you to discuss your training. I summoned you to test it."
Before she could respond, the air in the room shifted. The runes on the floor flared with light, and the space around her seemed to distort. Aeliana's heart raced as she looked around, the walls and ceiling of the throne room fading into darkness. The only light came from the runes beneath her feet and Kaelion's glowing eyes.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice echoing in the void.
Kaelion rose from his throne, his movements slow and deliberate. "You've been taught how to control your power, how to wield it. But control and willpower are two different things."
Aeliana narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," he said, stepping closer, "that you've yet to prove whether you have the resolve to use your power when it truly matters."
The shadows around them began to shift, taking shape. Figures emerged from the darkness—twisted, monstrous creatures with glowing eyes and sharp claws. They surrounded her, their guttural growls echoing in the void.
Aeliana's hands instinctively glowed with golden light, her magic flaring to life. "You're testing me with illusions?" she asked, her voice laced with defiance.
Kaelion's smirk faded, his expression turning cold. "These are no illusions, Aeliana. They're real. And they will kill you if you're not strong enough."
Her chest tightened as the creatures lunged toward her, their movements swift and unrelenting. She raised her hands, releasing a blast of magic that struck the nearest creature, sending it flying back. But the others closed in, their claws slashing at the air.
Aeliana moved on instinct, dodging and countering with bursts of light. Her magic burned through them, but for every creature she struck down, another seemed to take its place. Sweat dripped down her brow as she fought, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Is this all you have?" Kaelion's voice cut through the chaos, calm and taunting. "You're holding back again."
Aeliana gritted her teeth, her frustration boiling over. "I'm not holding back!" she shouted, unleashing a wave of magic that sent the creatures scattering.
Kaelion stepped closer, his gaze unrelenting. "Yes, you are," he said. "Because you're afraid of what will happen if you truly let go."
She faltered, his words hitting too close to the truth. One of the creatures took advantage of her hesitation, slamming into her and knocking her to the ground. Pain shot through her as she scrambled to her feet, her vision blurring.
Kaelion's voice rang out again, cold and unyielding. "Fear makes you weak. Anger makes you strong. Embrace it, Aeliana. Or die."
Her breath hitched, the words igniting a fire deep within her. The ember of magic she had nurtured flared to life, burning hotter than ever. She clenched her fists, her body trembling as the golden light erupted around her, brighter and more intense than before.
The creatures lunged again, but this time she didn't hesitate. She moved with precision and purpose, her magic slicing through them like a blade. The air around her crackled with energy, and the shadows that once surrounded her began to retreat.
When the last creature fell, Aeliana stood alone in the glowing circle of runes, her chest heaving. Her magic still burned within her, but she forced it to dim, her hands lowering to her sides.
Kaelion watched her, his expression unreadable. "Impressive," he said finally. "You're stronger than I thought."
Aeliana glared at him, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "Is that what you wanted? To see if I could survive your twisted game?"
He stepped closer, his mismatched eyes glinting with something dark and unreadable. "I wanted to see what you're capable of," he said. "And now I know."
Before she could respond, he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But don't think for a second that means you're free. This is only the beginning, little thief. Your power belongs to me."
Aeliana's heart pounded as he straightened, his smirk returning. She wanted to argue, to fight back, but she knew better. Instead, she held his gaze, her defiance burning brighter than ever.
"I'll never belong to you," she said quietly, her voice steady.
Kaelion's smile widened, a wicked glint in his eyes. "We'll see."
As he turned and disappeared into the shadows, Aeliana stood alone in the silent throne room. The fire within her still burned, and she knew one thing for certain: she would never stop fighting. Not against Kaelion. Not against her fate.
The game had only just begun.