The streets of Vehrin bustled with energy as Kael followed Aelira through the narrow alleys. Vendors called out their wares, street performers juggled flames, and pickpockets slithered through the crowd unnoticed. Yet, beneath the surface, Kael felt an undercurrent of tension, a sense of unease that prickled at the edges of his awareness.

“What’s the plan?” Kael asked as they ducked into a quieter lane.

“We lay low,” Aelira replied, her voice low and firm. “Oris has his fingers in every shady deal in this city. If you work for him, you’ll owe him more than you can afford.”

Kael frowned. “And if I don’t?”

“Then you’d better hope you’re good at disappearing,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “Oris doesn’t take rejection kindly.”

Kael’s hand instinctively brushed the hilt of his blade. “If he comes looking for trouble, I’ll handle it.”

Aelira sighed, her pace quickening. “You really don’t understand how things work here, do you? Strength alone won’t save you in Vehrin. You need allies, resources, and a reputation.”

“Then I’ll make one,” Kael said simply.

Aelira stopped abruptly, turning to face him. “You’re reckless. You’re going to get yourself killed—or worse.”

Kael met her gaze, his expression calm but unyielding. “I didn’t ask for your protection, Aelira. If you’re afraid, you don’t have to stay.”

For a moment, she looked like she might argue, but then she shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “You’re impossible. Fine. Do what you want. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Kael’s reply was cut off by a sudden, blood-curdling scream. Both of them froze, their eyes darting toward the sound. It came from deeper within the alley, where shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally, swallowing the light.

“That’s not normal,” Aelira said, her hand already on her bow.

Kael drew his blade, its familiar hum filling the silence. “Stay close.”

They moved cautiously toward the source of the scream. The alley grew darker with each step, the air thick and oppressive. Kael’s senses were on high alert, every fiber of his being screaming that something was wrong.

At the end of the alley, they found the source of the disturbance. A man lay crumpled on the ground, his face pale and his eyes wide with terror. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, but he seemed incapable of speech.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“What happened?” Kael asked, kneeling beside the man.

The man’s lips moved, but no sound came out. His trembling hand pointed toward the shadows.

Kael followed the direction of his gesture, his grip tightening on his weapon. Something moved within the darkness—a shape that seemed to defy logic, shifting and writhing as though it were made of liquid night.

“A Shade,” Aelira whispered, her voice barely audible. “It shouldn’t be here. Not this close to the city.”

“What is it?” Kael asked, his eyes never leaving the creature.

“Pure malice given form,” she said. “It feeds on fear, despair, and life itself. And it’s hunting.”

The Shade seemed to notice them then, its shifting form freezing before surging forward with unnatural speed.

Kael moved instinctively, placing himself between Aelira and the creature. His blade flared with light as he slashed at the Shade, the energy cutting through its form like smoke.

The Shade recoiled, its shape distorting as it let out a piercing shriek. But it didn’t retreat. Instead, it reformed, its tendrils lashing out toward Kael.

He dodged the attack, his movements swift and precise. “How do we kill it?” he shouted.

Aelira loosed an arrow, the enchanted tip glowing faintly. It struck the Shade, causing it to recoil again, but the damage was minimal.

“We can’t—not easily,” she said, notching another arrow. “They’re nearly indestructible without the right tools. We need to drive it off and get out of here.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t one to back down from a fight, but the Shade was unlike anything he’d faced before. Its movements were erratic, its attacks unpredictable.

The creature lunged again, and Kael met it head-on, his blade slicing through its tendrils. Each strike caused the Shade to falter, but it always reformed, its body seemingly endless.

Aelira’s arrows provided support, keeping the Shade off-balance, but the effort was taking its toll. She was breathing heavily, her hands trembling as she drew her bowstring.

“This isn’t working,” she said, frustration creeping into her voice. “We’re wasting energy.”

Kael gritted his teeth. He couldn’t see a way to defeat the creature, but retreat wasn’t in his nature.

The Shade surged forward again, its form coalescing into a massive claw. Kael raised his blade to block, but the force of the attack sent him staggering backward.

“Kael!” Aelira shouted, loosing another arrow.

The Shade turned its attention to her, its tendrils lashing out. Kael pushed himself up, his instincts screaming that he needed to act.

Then, without thinking, he thrust his free hand toward the creature. A burst of energy erupted from his palm, striking the Shade and sending it hurtling backward.

The creature shrieked, its form unraveling as it dissipated into the shadows.

Kael stared at his hand, the faint glow of power lingering for a moment before fading.

“What... was that?” Aelira asked, her eyes wide.

Kael didn’t answer. He didn’t know.

The man on the ground let out a weak groan, drawing their attention.

“We need to get him to safety,” Aelira said, slinging her bow over her shoulder.

Kael nodded, sheathing his blade. Together, they helped the man to his feet, supporting him as they made their way out of the alley.

But even as they moved toward safety, Kael’s thoughts were elsewhere. The power he’d unleashed felt familiar, as though it had always been a part of him.

And deep in the shadows, Aeon Tyrannis watched through the globe, his golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“Well done, Kael,” he murmured. “You’re finally starting to wake up.”