Dying Caelum

Kieran's fury turned into disbelief as he recognized the intruder. “You shouldn’t be here,” he growled.

Caelum strode forward, his golden eyes blazing. He placed himself between Gaia and Kieran, his presence radiating calm but unyielding power. “Let her go,” he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The Bloodsmiths began to stir, their collective power rising, but Caelum didn’t flinch.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Kieran snarled, his voice trembling with anger.

Caelum’s lips curled into a sharp smile. “Then try and stop me.”

The chamber erupted into chaos as Caelum shifted into his wolf form. His massive frame radiated a fierce golden glow, his eyes blazing like molten fire.

He let out a bone-shaking roar, the sound reverberating through the room. The Bloodsmiths, masters of their craft but not warriors, froze in terror before scattering like leaves in a storm, their hurried footsteps echoing as they fled.

But even as his wolf stood tall, a flicker of pain crossed Caelum’s eyes. His glowing aura began to dim, his movements slowing as he staggered, his breaths ragged.

Gaia stepped closer, concern etched on her face. “Caelum, what’s happening to you?”

He let out a low growl, collapsing back into his human form. Blood trickled from his lips as he clutched his chest, leaning heavily against the chamber wall. “They… they promised me,” he rasped. “I didn’t know they would do this to you.”

“What are you talking about?” Gaia demanded, kneeling beside him.

Caelum’s voice broke, filled with regret. “I’m cursed, Gaia. Something’s inside me—poisoning me, killing me slowly. They said they could help… but only if I brought you to them. I thought they would heal you, protect you. I didn’t know…” He paused, his voice cracking. “I didn’t know they were planning to destroy you.”

Gaia’s eyes widened in horror, tears welling up. “You… you trusted them? You brought me here to trade my life for yours?”

“I didn’t know!” Caelum pleaded, his face anguished. “I swear, I didn’t know! They lied to me, Gaia. And now…” He winced, coughing violently, blood staining his lips. “Now it’s too late for both of us.”

Gaia froze at Caelum’s anguished words, her mind racing. Then, like a sudden burst of clarity, a memory surfaced—the night she had healed Valtor with her blood. She remembered the power it held. It had saved Valtor. Perhaps…

Without hesitation, Gaia lifted her trembling hand to her lips, baring her teeth. “No,” she whispered to herself, determination steeling her voice. “You’re not dying, Caelum. I won’t let you.”

“What are you doing?” Caelum croaked, his brows furrowing as he watched her.

Ignoring him, Gaia bit into the soft flesh of her hand. Pain seared through her palm as blood welled up, dripping crimson onto the cold floor.

“Stop!” Caelum’s voice rose, hoarse and strained, but urgent. He struggled to sit up, reaching for her.

“Your body can heal,” Gaia insisted, her voice cracking with desperation. “I can save you! My blood healed Valtor; it will work on you too!”

“No, Gaia!” Caelum’s voice boomed, halting her. His hand clamped around her wrist, stopping her bleeding hand mere inches from his wounds. His grip, though weak, was firm, his eyes dark and resolute.

“Why are you stopping me?!” she cried, her tears flowing freely. “I can help you, Caelum! You don’t have to die! Not like this!”

Caelum looked at her, his face softening despite the pain etched into his features. “Gaia,” he said, his voice breaking, “you don’t understand. It was always meant to end this way. I… I’ve been trying to fight it, trying to cheat destiny, but… I can’t. I was never meant to survive this.”

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head violently. “That’s not true. You’re wrong. If I can save you, then destiny can be changed! It doesn’t have to be like this!”

Caelum let out a bitter laugh, coughing as more blood trickled from his lips. “You think I haven’t tried? You think I haven’t fought every second to survive? Gaia, this is bigger than me. Bigger than both of us.”

“But I won’t let it happen!” she yelled, her voice trembling with raw emotion. “Not when I can stop it!”

Caelum’s eyes softened, the fierce glow of his usual strength now replaced with quiet sorrow. “You’ve always had a pure heart,” he murmured, his hand brushing against hers, smearing blood between them. “But you have to understand…this is my fate. It’s not something you can fix. Not something your blood can rewrite.”

Before Gaia could respond, the air in the chamber grew heavy, oppressive. A dark, sinister presence seeped into the room like smoke.

Kieran strode back into the chamber, his face twisted into a cruel smirk. “Touching,” he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. “But unfortunately, this isn’t a story where the hero gets redemption.”

Gaia sprang to her feet, shielding Caelum as best as she could. “Stay back!” she shouted, her voice trembling but defiant.

Kieran laughed coldly. “And what will you do, little goddess? You’ve barely scratched the surface of your power. You’re nothing compared to me.”

Caelum, despite his weakened state, pushed himself upright, standing between Kieran and Gaia. “You’ll have to get through me first,” he growled.

Kieran’s eyes gleamed with sadistic delight. “Oh, I intend to.”

With a flick of his wrist, Kieran summoned dark threads of energy, lashing out at Caelum. The two clashed violently, the air crackling with power as they traded blows. But it was clear from the start—Caelum was no match for Kieran in his current state. Every strike he landed was weaker than the last, his strength fading rapidly.

“Caelum, stop! You’re not strong enough!” Gaia cried, tears streaming down her face.

He turned to her, his expression fierce but tender. “Stay out of this, Gaia,” he said hoarsely. “Whatever happens… you live. Promise me that.”

Kieran laughed, his voice echoing with menace. “Such noble words for a dying man.”

With a surge of dark energy, Kieran hurled Caelum across the room, slamming him into the stone wall. Blood poured from Caelum’s wounds, his breaths shallow, but he still stood, defiant to the end.

Summoning the last reserves of his power, Caelum raised his trembling hand, opening a swirling void behind Gaia. The glowing portal hummed with raw energy, its pull growing stronger with every second.

“Go!” he shouted, his voice breaking. “I’ll hold him off!”

“No!” Gaia screamed, shaking her head as tears blurred her vision. “I’m not leaving you!”

Kieran, sensing the portal’s purpose, snarled. “You’re not taking her anywhere.”

He lunged forward, and with a wicked gleam in his eyes, plunged a silver blade into Caelum’s side.

Caelum let out a guttural cry, his knees buckling as blood spilled freely from the wound. He dropped to the ground, his body trembling, but he still managed to push Gaia toward the void with a shaking hand.

“Kieran!” Gaia screamed, her voice raw with fury and anguish. “You monster!”

Kieran grinned, pulling the blade from Caelum’s body. “And yet, he still failed to protect you.”

The void’s pull grew stronger, dragging Gaia backward. She clawed at the ground, tears streaming down her face as she reached out for Caelum.

“No! Caelum!” she sobbed, her voice breaking. “Stay with me!”

Caelum lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers one last time. Despite the pain etched across his face, he managed a faint smile. “You’ll be safe now,” he whispered.

The void swallowed her whole, her screams echoing into nothingness as she disappeared.