I watched death descend in the arc of Corvus’s blade, its shadow-wreathed edge promising a swift finish. Time seemed to slow, each heartbeat stretching into eternity as the sword swept downward. In that moment, I saw everything with perfect clarity—the way the crimson sky caught the blade’s edge, the subtle ripple of shadows along its length, the absolute precision of its path towards my neck.

The blade struck with a sharp crack—into the ground beside my head, so close I felt the wind from it rustle my hair.

I stared at the embedded blade, my mind struggling to process what had just happened. Corvus stood motionless, his hands still gripping the sword’s hilt, his blindfolded face turned slightly away as if listening to something specific.

“Why?” The hushed word escaped my lips.

Corvus remained silent for a long moment. Then his head lowered as if in deep concentration. “The shadows speak many truths, brother,” he finally said, his voice softer than before. “Some clearer than others.”

I scrunched my face in confusion at his cryptic response. “What do you mean?”

He swiftly pulled his sword from the ground, and the ominous shadows fell away from the blade like water. “Leave this place,” he commanded. “Ride far and fast and never return. The next time we meet, I will not stay my hand.”

I struggled to find words, but before I could speak, Corvus had already turned away. He mounted his nightmare steed and wheeled it around. Then he spurred his mount back towards the distant Sanctum, leaving me alone in this ashen wasteland.

My own horse lay nearby, badly wounded, but not defeated. Its sides heaved with labored breaths, its glowing red eyes still burning with defiant fire. Ignoring the sharp pain in my ribs, I slowly forced myself to my feet and stumbled over to the beast. I approached cautiously, knowing that even an injured nightmare could be deadly if provoked. Black steam rose in angry bursts from the horse’s nostrils as it watched me draw near.

“It’s all right,” I assured, extending my hand slowly. “Let me help you.”

The horse’s muscles tensed under my touch, but it didn’t reject my presence.

I was at a loss on how exactly I could help the creature. Unlike my brethren, I had not yet learned some of the basic healing arts that came with our profession. It was suicide to attempt to brave these treacherous lands on foot.

I whispered a desperate prayer to Valic, a plea for survival from this wretched place. “Dread Lord, I demand the strength to fulfill my purpose. I am your instrument, and my destiny is intertwined with your will. I refuse to die here before my task is complete. Guide my steps and ensure my survival. Empower my steed, so that we may serve your purpose together. I will not fail you.”

As the words left my lips, I felt a surge of dark power flow through me, an unexpected connection to the Dread Lord. Without thinking, I placed my hand firmly against the horse’s wound and focused on that energy. A strange warmth suddenly flowed through my palm. Then, a soft purple light emanated from my entire hand and seeped into the horse’s flesh, followed by the warm current that channeled into its entire body.

I started. What the—!

The horse sensed my surprise, and its nostrils flared, a low whinny escaping its throat.

The power coursed through me, guided by an instinct I didn’t know I possessed. It flowed naturally, as if my body remembered something my mind had forgotten. The nightmare steed’s breathing steadied as the wound began to close under my touch. It raised its head, regarding me with newfound interest. Its glowing red eyes seemed to pierce my very soul, measuring my worth all over again. Finally, I pulled my hand away, awed by what I had just done. But there was no time for me to wonder about the specifics. As I steadied my breath, I felt another sharp sting of pain radiate from my broken ribs.

I needed to focus.

I needed to escape.

The horse’s wound was still there, not fully closed, but healed enough for the steed to put weight on it and move again. With a grunt, the horse shifted closer and lowered itself into a crouch. I marveled at its instinct, at how it seemed to understand my need for assistance. The creature was no longer just a mount. It was now a partner in this dark journey, one that had fought alongside me, even in its injured state. I grabbed its mane and pulled myself onto its back. Every movement sent waves of pain through my battered body. But the steed was gentle, adjusting its position to make it easier for me to climb on.

As I settled onto its back, I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline and fear. This was my chance to escape the chaos that had shattered my world. The recent events had echoed against the backdrop of my past life—a life where I had once been wrongfully accused and betrayed by those I trusted most.

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Before we set off, I took one last look behind me. The silhouette of the Sanctum loomed in the distance, dark and imposing, but I was determined not to return. The brotherhood I had once fought for had turned against me, and now, once again, I was alone.

“Let’s go,” I urged my steed, my voice strained but resolute.

The horse responded to my urgency, and we bolted into the crimson night. Its hooves struck the ashen ground with a renewed vigor, its stride powerful and sure as if it had never been injured. The power I had channeled had done more than just close the wound; it apparently had ignited a fire within the creature, driving it forward with an almost reckless abandon. I could almost feel the raw energy coursing through its muscles, a surge of adrenaline that mirrored my own need to escape. Perhaps it was the horse’s own will to survive that was fueling its rapid recovery. At this point, I didn’t care. I was just glad it was strong enough to carry me now.

But the more I rode, the more I wondered about the strange power that I had just wielded. It wasn’t like the shadow manipulation I’d learned, nor the raw power of darkness that I’d felt in the Sanctum’s chapel. This was something different, something… divine. The ability to channel healing energy was foreign, yet it felt strangely familiar, as if a forgotten part of my being had been awakened by the desperation of the moment.

Then I remembered my prayer to Valic. Of course, I realized. This must have been the Dread Lord’s doing. He had granted me a small gift, a spark of divine power that resonated with my own dark nature. My healing ability wasn’t nearly as powerful as a novice cleric’s, but it was utilitarian to suit my needs. It was enough to make the difference between life and death for my steed.

The surrounding landscape blurred into streaks of shadow and light. The ground beneath us shifted from solid stone to soft patches of sand, but my steed navigated them with an innate understanding of the terrain, just like before. It was as if we were one in that moment, flowing together as we sped away from the remnants of my past.

My mind churned with the events that had led to this moment. The treachery I had endured at the hands of my former brothers mirrored the fate of my past. In both lives, I had been the pawn, manipulated by those who wore the guise of authority.

I could feel the shadows of my nightmares closing in, whispering taunts of betrayal and regret. But this time, I was no longer the victim waiting for justice to come. I would take control of my destiny, just as I should have done before.

Never again. This time, I’ll be the one who makes the rules.

It was a cruel twist of fate that brought me back to this moment. I could still remember the cold stone walls of the dungeons, the jeering voices of those who had once called me friend, and the iron shackles that had bound my wrists. Just like then, I was cast out, the weight of betrayal cutting deeper than any wound. Now, in this dark realm, it was the same, only the faces had changed. I had once believed in the honor of the watch, in the brotherhood forged through shared struggles, only to find that loyalty was as fleeting as the wind.

I laughed bitterly at the irony of it all. History repeats itself... But this time will be different.

The horse’s hooves struck sparks from stone as we thundered across the desolate landscape. Strange shapes moved in the darkness around us, shadows that recoiled with hungry purpose. But nothing dared approach.

I could sense the energy of the night embracing us like a protective shroud, shielding us from the dangers that lurked in the corners of this forsaken land.

Each passing mile seemed to strip away another layer of who I’d been, revealing something darker beneath. The pain in my ribs had settled into a dull throb, a constant reminder of the suffering that fed my growing rage.

I thought of all the times I’d held back, trying to walk the line between power and restraint. How many opportunities had I missed because I’d still clung to some misguided notion of brotherhood? How much stronger could I have become if I’d embraced my true nature from the start?

My steed seemed to feel the turbulent emotions roiling within me. Its stride lengthened with each gallop, hooves striking the ground with increased force, as if eager to carry me towards my destiny. It pushed itself harder, as though yearning to press us forward and escape the ghosts haunting my thoughts. And It had no intentions of stopping.

“Easy, friend,” I murmured, though I was grateful for the beast’s relentless drive. The night air rushed past, cool against my skin, invigorating me even as my body still ached.

The horse eased a little, but maintained its steady stride. It seemed to understand my pain, my longing for power, my need to rise above the ashes.

Power doesn’t corrupt, I remembered Valic’s words from what felt like a lifetime ago. It reveals.

Now I understood the truth of those words more deeply than ever. A harsh laugh escaped my lips. How blind I’d been, thinking I could find true brotherhood amongst those who served power but didn’t understand it. All of them were tools and nothing more.

This is what I am now. Someone who sees the traps, who understands the true nature of power...

I thought about Corvus in that moment, and how he’d always seen the truth in all things. Yet somehow, he had failed to see through Malachai’s deceptions. But then, in the same breath, he spared my life. None of his actions made sense. But then again, Corvus had always been an enigma.

Lightning split the sky far in the distance ahead, illuminating the jagged mountains that marked the edge of Ebonheart’s territory. The city lay a few hours beyond. My steed seemed to instinctively know that was where I wanted to go, even though I never gave it specific instructions. Its intelligence and empathy were striking.

As I watched the lands shift and change as we rode through various terrain, I was reminded by Valic’s words about nine kingdoms, and the power waiting to be claimed by those strong enough to take it.

A king... I still had a hard time accepting that destiny. But Malachai’s desperate attempt to prevent my rise made things clear. He’d seen the potential in me and feared I would become someone to challenge his ambitions. But instead of preventing my ascension, his actions merely stripped away the last of my hesitation.

“I’ll be the very thing you fear, you son of a bitch...” I spat into the wind, then let out a dark chuckle.

Dawn was still hours away, but I could see my path clearly now. I would show my oppressors what true justice looked like, carved in shadow and sealed in blood.