The sound of dripping water echoed through the underground passage as Kael and Rion stumbled through the darkness. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, the stench of scorched metal and burnt flesh still fresh in their noses. Kael's body screamed in protest with every step, the shard's power leaving behind a searing ache in his chest.
Rion walked silently beside him, clutching the metal pipe he'd used in their desperate fight. His hands trembled, though he tried to hide it. Kael noticed but said nothing. They both needed time to process what had just happened.
Finally, they emerged into a small maintenance chamber, its rusted walls barely holding together. Kael slumped against the wall, sliding down until he sat on the cold floor.
"We'll rest here for a bit," he muttered.
Rion hesitated, then sat across from him, his wide eyes fixed on his brother. "Kael…"
"Don't," Kael interrupted sharply. "I told you to stay back. What were you thinking?"
"I couldn't just sit there while you—"
"You could've been killed!" Kael snapped, his voice echoing in the confined space.
Rion flinched but didn't look away. "So could you. You're not invincible, Kael. I had to help."
Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. He wanted to argue, but he couldn't bring himself to. Rion wasn't wrong.
Kael leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes. "The shard… It's getting harder to control."
Rion tilted his head. "But it saved us."
"It's not that simple," Kael said bitterly. "Every time I use it, it feels like… like it's taking something from me. I don't know how much longer I can keep it in check."
Rion frowned, his expression thoughtful. "What if there's a way to control it? I mean, really control it. Maybe someone out there knows how."
Kael opened his eyes, meeting his brother's gaze. "You think I haven't thought of that? The problem is, anyone who knows anything about shards is either dead or working for the Dominion."
"Not everyone," Rion said quietly.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Rion hesitated, glancing toward the tunnel they'd come from. "I overheard something… back in the market. There's a group—people who are fighting the Dominion. They're looking for shard users. Maybe they can help us."
Kael frowned. He'd heard rumors of rebels before, but they were nothing more than whispers. Most who dared to resist the Dominion didn't live long enough to make a difference.
"And you believe them?" Kael asked skeptically.
"I don't know," Rion admitted. "But what other choice do we have?"
Kael didn't respond immediately. He hated the idea of putting their trust in strangers, especially when the shard made them a target. But Rion was right—they couldn't keep running forever.
Before he could decide, a soft sound reached his ears—a faint shuffling, like footsteps. Kael's hand went to his dagger as he motioned for Rion to stay quiet.
The footsteps grew louder, accompanied by hushed voices. Kael's heart raced. Were there more hunters?
"Stay here," he whispered to Rion, rising to his feet.
Kael crept toward the source of the noise, his dagger held tightly. As he rounded the corner, he spotted a group of figures moving cautiously through the tunnel. They weren't Dominion soldiers—at least, not in the usual armor.
One of them, a tall woman with braided hair and a scar across her cheek, held a torch that illuminated the faces of her companions. They looked weary but determined, their mismatched clothing and gear suggesting they were scavengers or rebels.
Kael stepped into the light, his dagger raised. "Who are you?"
The woman froze, her hand darting to the hilt of her sword. The others followed suit, weapons drawn.
"Easy," she said, her voice steady. "We're not looking for a fight."
"Then why are you sneaking around?" Kael demanded.
"We're looking for survivors," the woman replied. Her eyes flicked to the shard embedded in Kael's chest, and her expression hardened. "And it seems we've found one."
Kael didn't lower his weapon. "How do I know you're not with the Dominion?"
The woman snorted. "Do we look like Dominion soldiers to you?"
Kael glanced at their ragtag appearances. She had a point, but that didn't mean they could be trusted.
"We heard the fight," another man said, his voice quieter. "The shard… that was you, wasn't it?"
Kael's grip on his dagger tightened. "What if it was?"
"We're not your enemy," the woman said, lowering her sword slightly. "We're part of the Resistance. We're fighting the Dominion—and we could use someone like you."
Kael hesitated. The timing was too convenient. He didn't like it. But before he could respond, Rion appeared behind him.
"Kael," he said nervously, glancing at the strangers.
The woman's eyes softened when she saw Rion. "A kid?" she murmured. "Is he your brother?"
Kael nodded reluctantly. "What do you want from us?"
"Nothing you're not willing to give," the woman said. "But if you come with us, we can offer you safety. Food. Answers."
"Answers?" Kael asked warily.
"About the shard," she said, her gaze lingering on his chest. "And how to use it without killing yourself."
Kael looked at Rion, who nodded encouragingly. He still didn't trust these people, but they might be their best chance at survival—and at understanding the shard's power.
"Fine," Kael said finally. "But if you try anything…"
"You'll gut us, I know," the woman said with a smirk. "Name's Maren, by the way. And you are?"
"Kael," he said reluctantly. "This is Rion."
Maren nodded. "Alright, Kael. Let's get moving. The Dominion's bound to send reinforcements."
As they followed the group into the dark tunnels, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that they were stepping into something much bigger than themselves. For better or worse, their path had changed—and there was no turning back.