Chereads / Fallen Horizon / Chapter 6 - Chapter 5: The iron tide

Chapter 6 - Chapter 5: The iron tide

The sound of Dominion drones echoed through the air, their mechanical hum vibrating against the hollow ruins. Kael and Rion stumbled through the wreckage of an old marketplace, the remnants of stalls and signs barely standing after years of decay.

Kael's breathing was uneven, his chest heaving as he leaned against a shattered pillar. Every step felt heavier, the shard's energy draining him more with each passing moment.

"You can't keep doing this," Rion said, his voice sharp but laced with concern. "Every time you use it, you're falling apart."

Kael didn't respond immediately. His hand instinctively moved to his chest, where the shard's heat pulsed faintly beneath his skin. It felt dormant now, almost silent, but he knew better. It was waiting.

"I don't have a choice," Kael finally said, his voice hoarse. "If I don't use it, we're dead."

Rion clenched his fists. "Then what? You keep burning yourself out until there's nothing left? That shard is killing you, Kael."

Kael turned to face him, his blue eyes blazing with frustration. "You think I don't know that? You think I want this?" He took a step closer, his voice lowering. "But if I don't use it, you're the one who's going to die. And I can't let that happen."

Before Rion could respond, a sharp whirring sound cut through the air. Both brothers froze, their eyes snapping to the sky.

A Dominion scout drone hovered above the ruins, its red eye scanning the area. It paused for a moment, then emitted a high-pitched beep.

"Run," Kael said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The two bolted, darting through the crumbling streets as the drone's alarm echoed through the ruins. Within moments, the sound of heavy footsteps and clanking metal filled the air. The Dominion had found them.

"Keep going!" Kael shouted, glancing over his shoulder. He could see the silhouettes of golems in the distance, their glowing eyes cutting through the darkness.

They turned a corner, the ground shaking beneath them as the golems closed in. Rion stumbled, nearly falling, but Kael grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.

"There!" Kael pointed to a partially collapsed building ahead. "We can hide in there!"

They sprinted toward the building, slipping through a narrow gap in the wall. Inside, the air was thick with dust, the remnants of old furniture scattered across the floor.

Kael pressed his back against the wall, his chest heaving. Rion crouched beside him, his eyes wide with fear.

"We can't keep doing this," Rion said, his voice trembling.

Kael didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the shard's faint glow, his mind racing.

"You can stop running," the shard whispered. "All it takes is one spark. One moment of power, and they'll be gone."

Kael shook his head, trying to block out the voice. But the shard's presence was growing stronger, its heat spreading through his chest.

The sound of footsteps outside grew louder, the golems closing in. Kael's fists clenched, his body trembling as he fought to keep the shard's power at bay.

"Kael," Rion said, his voice barely audible. "Whatever you're planning, don't do it."

Kael looked at him, his blue eyes filled with pain. "I'm not letting them take you."

Before Rion could protest, Kael stepped out of the hiding spot, his body tense. The golems were just outside, their massive frames blocking the moonlight.

Kael raised his hand, the shard's glow intensifying as fire sparked to life in his palm.

"Hey!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the ruins.

The golems turned toward him, their glowing eyes locking onto his fiery hand.

"Kael, no!" Rion's voice came from behind him, but Kael didn't look back.

The lead golem charged, its molten blade slicing through the air. Kael stood his ground, the shard's power surging through him.

At the last moment, he thrust his hand forward, unleashing a torrent of flames that engulfed the golem. The fire roared, consuming the construct in a blinding inferno.

But Kael didn't stop. The shard's power continued to flow, the flames spreading to the other golems. Their metallic frames melted under the heat, their glowing eyes flickering before fading to darkness.

Kael fell to his knees, his body trembling. The shard's heat was overwhelming, its whispers deafening.

"More. You need more. You can't stop now."

"Shut up," Kael muttered, his voice weak.

Rion ran to his side, grabbing his arm. "Kael, stop! You're going to kill yourself!"

Kael looked at him, his vision blurry. "I'm fine… I just need a second."

"No, you're not fine!" Rion snapped. "You're not fine, Kael! Look at yourself!"

Kael's hands were trembling, his skin pale and damp with sweat. The shard's glow had dimmed, but its presence was still heavy, a constant weight on his chest.

Before either of them could say anything else, the sound of more drones filled the air.

"We need to move," Kael said, forcing himself to his feet.

Rion hesitated, his eyes filled with worry. But he nodded, helping Kael as they stumbled deeper into the ruins.