The fire crackled, but the silence between them was deafening. Kael sat rigid, his fingers tightening into fists. His mother's death had been the catalyst for everything—his training, his struggle, his rage. And now, the very person responsible for it stood between him and the Ethereal Gates.
Miya watched him carefully, her expression unreadable. "Say something."
Kael inhaled sharply through his nose. "Which one was it?"
"The Sentinel?"
"Yes."
Miya's gaze didn't waver. "Oris. The Phantom Blade."
The name alone sent a chill down Kael's spine. He had heard whispers of Oris—a Sentinel known for his cold precision, a master of death who struck without mercy. But to have it confirmed that he was the one who killed their mother…
Kael felt his breath slow, his fingers twitching.
Rion folded his arms. "What's his ability?"
Miya hesitated. "Void Severance. He can cut through anything—physical, magical, even the flow of Essence itself."
Kael's eyes darkened. "So, he can nullify Shard abilities."
Miya nodded. "To an extent. He can't cancel powers entirely, but he can sever the connection between a wielder and their Shard for a brief time. If he lands a hit, your power is useless."
Kael grit his teeth. That meant fighting Oris wouldn't just be a battle of strength—it would be a fight against time. One mistake, and his power would be stripped away.
Rion sighed. "Great. A guy who can basically shut us down. Fantastic."
Kael clenched his fists. "I don't care what his ability is. He dies."
Miya's expression didn't change, but her voice was measured. "Revenge won't help you win, Kael."
He shot her a glare. "This isn't about revenge."
She tilted her head slightly. "Isn't it?"
Kael opened his mouth to argue but stopped. He wanted to say that it wasn't just personal, that Oris was an obstacle in their path. But the truth was, it was personal. He wanted Oris dead—not just to move forward, but because he had stolen something irreplaceable from them.
Miya exhaled. "Listen. Oris is dangerous, but he's not invincible. If we're going to fight him, we need a plan."
Kael forced himself to push down the burning rage in his chest. "What do you have in mind?"
Miya leaned forward. "He relies on precision. If we disrupt his flow, we break his advantage."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "You want to force him into a chaotic fight."
Miya nodded. "Exactly. If we keep him from controlling the fight's rhythm, he won't be able to use Void Severance effectively. I can keep him on edge with my speed, and Rion can handle defenses. You, Kael…"
Kael met her gaze.
"You need to go in for the kill."
Silence followed her words.
Kael slowly exhaled. "Fine."
Rion rubbed the back of his head. "Alright, so we just have to throw a Sentinel off balance and kill him before he counters. Sounds simple enough."
Miya smirked. "If it were simple, he wouldn't be feared."
Kael stood. "Then we should move. The longer we wait, the more time he has to prepare."
Miya nodded. "Agreed."
Rion groaned. "Can't we at least get some sleep first?"
Kael shook his head. "If we stop now, I'll start thinking too much."
Miya's smirk faded slightly. "And what happens when you do?"
Kael clenched his jaw. "I hesitate."
Miya studied him for a moment before standing as well. "Then let's move."
The group moved under the cover of night, their steps silent as they navigated through the ruins. The distant echoes of wailing wind and crumbling stone were the only sounds accompanying them.
Kael's mind was sharp, but the weight of what was to come pressed on him. Oris—the Sentinel who killed his mother. This wasn't just another fight. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the battle that would define everything.
Miya moved ahead, her steps light and precise, her eyes scanning for any sign of movement. The Lightning Shard in her possession hummed softly, crackling with dormant energy. Rion kept to the rear, his expression unreadable, his usual casual demeanor hardened into something serious.
Kael felt the weight of the Ember Shard against his palm. His power had grown, but was it enough?
A flicker of doubt.
He crushed it immediately.
This wasn't the time.
Miya suddenly raised a hand, signaling them to stop. Kael followed her gaze and saw it.
A lone figure stood ahead, partially illuminated by the faint glow of the ruined city. His form was clad in dark, worn battle gear, his face obscured by the hood of a tattered cloak. A long, slender blade rested in his hand, its surface blackened like the void itself.
Oris.
Kael's heart pounded.
The man's posture was relaxed, but there was something about the way he stood—composed, patient, as if he had all the time in the world.
"So, you came." Oris' voice was smooth, almost indifferent. He tilted his head slightly. "Not alone, I see."
Kael stepped forward. "You know why I'm here."
Oris exhaled softly. "I do. And I should warn you—grief makes for a terrible weapon."
Kael's grip on his blade tightened. "I don't care about your warnings."
Oris finally lifted his gaze, revealing piercing silver eyes that seemed to cut through the darkness. "Then let's not waste time."
Before anyone could react, he moved.
Kael barely saw it—one moment Oris was standing still, the next he was in front of him, blade slicing through the air. Kael reacted on instinct, raising his weapon, but the impact sent him skidding backward, boots grinding against the stone.
Miya was already in motion, her Lightning Shard flashing as she dashed forward, electricity crackling around her blade. Oris twisted, dodging her strike with impossible precision before countering with a lightning-fast cut.
Miya barely managed to parry, but the force sent her tumbling to the side.
Rion lunged next, his Essence shielding flaring to life as he slammed his fists down, sending a shockwave through the ground. Oris leaped back, effortlessly avoiding the impact, landing gracefully several feet away.
Kael steadied himself. He's fast. Too fast.
Oris' silver eyes locked onto him. "Is that all?"
Kael exhaled sharply. His Essence burned, and the Ember Shard flared. He couldn't hesitate.
Not now.
He charged.
Their blades clashed, sparks flying as Kael pushed forward with everything he had. Oris didn't falter. Every strike Kael delivered was met with cold efficiency, every movement countered with perfect form.
Kael gritted his teeth. Damn it—he's reading my every move.
And then—
Pain.
A searing slash tore across his shoulder, his Essence flickering as his grip weakened. His Shard—he could feel it dull for a split second.
Void Severance.
Oris moved again, blade a blur. Kael braced for another strike—
Lightning erupted.
Miya crashed into Oris, forcing him back with a rapid flurry of electrified strikes. The Sentinel barely avoided her attacks, his expression shifting slightly.
Kael caught his breath. Miya's speed was something else—unrelenting, like a storm with no pause.
She was forcing him to stay on defense.
Kael's mind raced