Lena’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the man standing before her. The dim candlelight cast flickering shadows across his face, but there was no mistaking those golden eyes—eyes she had once known as well as her own. Eyes she thought she’d never see again.“Dorian,” she whispered, barely trusting her voice.His name felt foreign on her tongue, like a relic of a past she had buried long ago.Dorian took a step closer, his gaze sharp, scanning her like he was trying to memorize every inch of her. “Lena. Gods, it’s really you.”She stepped back instinctively, heart hammering. “You’re supposed to be dead.”A humourless smile ghosted across his lips. “I get that a lot.”Lena shook her head, trying to piece together the impossible. She had watched him fall. Had seen the blood spill from his wounds. She had mourned him, cursed his name, and carried the guilt of his death for years.And yet, here he was, standing in her room like a ghost made of flesh.“How?” she demanded, voice
The door creaked open, and Lena’s pulse roared in her ears.Cassian stepped inside, his sharp violet eyes immediately scanning the room. His gaze lingered on her for a fraction of a second, then drifted toward the shadows where Dorian had disappeared.Lena willed her expression to remain neutral, to keep her breath steady, even as her heart hammered wildly. If Cassian noticed something was off, he didn’t say anything—yet.Instead, he leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed over his chest. “You weren’t at the training hall.”Lena forced a shrug. “Didn’t realize I was required to show up for a beating first thing in the morning.”Cassian smirked, but there was something colder about it this time. “After last night, I figured you’d want another round. Unless, of course, you’re still licking your wounds.”Lena rolled her eyes, pretending like she wasn’t acutely aware of the figure hiding just beyond Cassian’s sight. “I think I’ll survive.”Cassian tilted his head slightly. “Good.” He
The moment Selene stepped forward, the battlefield stilled.Her presence was like a storm pressing down on them—powerful, suffocating. The air around her shimmered with restrained magic, the torches casting eerie shadows against the walls of the stronghold.Lena forced herself to stand tall, gripping the hilt of her dagger so tightly that her knuckles turned white.She hadn’t seen Selene in years, but the woman hadn’t changed. If anything, she seemed more dangerous now. Dark hair cascading down her shoulders like ink, piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through Lena, and a confidence that made her presence even more terrifying.Cassian tensed beside her, his blade still drawn, but Lena saw the way his violet eyes darkened with something deeper than just anger. He had known this moment would come—had been waiting for it.Dorian was less composed. His body hummed with tension, golden eyes burning with hatred. “Selene,” he spat, his voice like a growl.Selene merely smirked. “
The wind howled through the trees as Lena, Cassian, and Dorian pressed forward, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and Selene’s stronghold. But no matter how far they ran, Lena could still feel it—the weight of something shifting in the world around them.Or maybe, the shift was within her.She clenched her fists as the lingering energy hummed under her skin, unsettling and unfamiliar. It wasn’t like Cassian’s fire or Dorian’s raw magic. This was something else, something ancient.And it terrified her.Dorian walked a few paces ahead, his golden eyes scanning their surroundings for danger. He hadn’t spoken much since the battle with the wraiths, but Lena knew he was troubled. Cassian, on the other hand, stayed close to her, as if afraid she might collapse.“I’m fine,” she muttered, breaking the silence.Cassian arched a brow. “You almost passed out back there.”“That was different. I—I wasn’t expecting…” She trailed off, unsure of how to explain what had happened.
The air inside the Coven’s sanctum was thick with magic, humming in a way that made Lena’s skin prickle. The truth Idris had revealed still echoed in her mind—the last of the Trueborn, the only one who could stand against Selene. It was a destiny she hadn’t chosen, a power she didn’t understand.But there was no more time for doubt.She was here to learn.Lena glanced at Cassian and Dorian. Cassian gave her a nod, his dark eyes steady with unspoken support. Dorian, however, was less composed, his arms crossed as he leaned against one of the stone pillars, his gaze sharp with skepticism.Idris watched them carefully before speaking. “Your training must begin immediately. If Selene is moving, then so must we.”Lena squared her shoulders. “Then show me what I need to do.”Idris gestured for her to follow.They moved through the corridors of the underground sanctum, the walls shifting from stone to something smoother, darker—enchanted. Lena could feel the energy pulsing through it, like t
The silence that followed Lena’s victory was heavier than any applause. The shattered remnants of the Guardian faded into mist, dissolving into the air like whispers of forgotten power.Lena stood in the center of the chamber, her breath coming fast, her body still thrumming with the echoes of battle. She had won. She had taken hold of her power and used it.But the true weight of what had just happened settled into her bones.She wasn’t the same person who had walked into this room.She wasn’t just Lena anymore.She was something more.Cassian was the first to move. His eyes met hers, dark and unreadable. There was something new there, something like pride—but beneath it, worry still lingered. He had seen the raw force she had unleashed.Dorian, however, wasn’t as reserved. He stepped forward, slowly, his gaze scanning her as if she were an unfamiliar puzzle he had yet to solve. “Well,” he finally said, crossing his arms, “that was dramatic.”Lena let out a breathless, humorless laug
The corridor beyond the marble doorway pulsed with ancient magic, the runes along its walls glowing faintly as Lena, Cassian, Dorian, and Idris rushed through. The air was thick with tension, the weight of Selene’s presence pressing down on them like a storm about to break.Lena’s breath came fast, her chest still aching from the Oath’s mark. Selene’s voice still echoed in her head—cold, taunting, a promise of destruction.“We need to move faster,” Idris urged, glancing back. “She’s trying to anchor herself here. If she does, there won’t be a safe way out.”“Then what the hell are we running toward?” Dorian shot back. “Because I’d love to know the plan before we get obliterated.”“We regroup at the sanctum’s edge,” Idris said. “From there, we can move through the Shadow Veil—”The walls shook.A high-pitched screech ripped through the corridor, unnatural and grating. Lena’s blood ran cold.“She’s already breaking through,” Cassian muttered, drawing his sword.Lena felt it too. The mag
Silence hung in the sanctum, thick with tension. The swirling silver mist of the Shadow Veil crackled behind the warrior as he stepped forward, the firelight from his blade casting flickering shadows against the dark stone walls.Selene stood rigid, her violet eyes locked onto him, her confidence momentarily shattered.Lena barely dared to breathe.The warrior’s presence was otherworldly. Magic rolled off him in waves, an ancient power that seemed to hum in tune with the sanctum itself. His armour—black with silver etchings—was unlike anything Lena had ever seen. And the blade in his grip… it burned with an unearthly golden fire, its heat tangible even from where she stood.Selene’s lips parted, her voice a whisper.“You shouldn’t exist.”The warrior tilted his head, his helm gleaming in the dim light. “And yet, here I stand.”Lena’s pulse pounded in her ears. Who was he? How did he know Selene? And why did she, the unshakable Shadow Queen, look afraid?Selene recovered quickly, her e
The chamber erupted into movement. The hooded figures lunged forward, their robes billowing as unnatural shadows twisted around them. Cassian was the first to engage, his sword flashing as he met one of the attackers head-on. The clang of steel rang through the temple, but something was wrong—the moment Cassian’s blade struck, the figure dissolved into mist, reforming just inches away. “They’re not real!” he growled, pivoting to block another strike. Dorian muttered a curse. “Fantastic. We’re fighting ghosts now.” Lena barely heard them. Her gaze was locked on the stone archway behind the woman. The symbols continued to pulse, their glow intensifying with every second. Something was coming. Idris threw out a hand, golden magic crackling to life. He sent a blast toward the woman, but before it could reach her, the energy warped—bent—and vanished into the archway as if swallowed whole. The woman laughed. “You cannot fight what you do not understand.” Lena gritted her teeth. “Th
The woman’s presence lingered long after she disappeared into the trees. Her words replayed in Lena’s mind, twisting like a warning she wasn’t sure she understood yet.You only closed a door.Cassian’s hand brushed against hers, his touch grounding. “Are you okay?”Lena forced a nod, though her heart was still racing. “She knew something. She felt something. And she wasn’t afraid.”“That’s what worries me,” Idris muttered. His eyes flickered toward the trees. “If she was a cultist and she’s not afraid, that means she knows what comes next.”Dorian kicked at a loose branch. “Well, great. Love when the people who worship eldritch horrors act all smug. That definitely means we’re in the clear.”Lena ignored him, scanning the forest. “We need to find her.”Cassian sighed. “You saw how fast she disappeared. She doesn’t want to be found.”“That doesn’t mean we stop looking.” Lena turned to Idris. “Can you track her magic?”He hesitated. “Maybe. She wasn’t using normal magic—it felt... old.”
Lena woke to the scent of burning wood and damp earth. The fire had dimmed, its embers glowing softly in the pre-dawn light. Cassian was still beside her, his arm draped loosely around her shoulders.For the first time in days, she had slept.But the moment of peace was fleeting.A rustling sound came from the edge of camp, followed by hurried footsteps. She sat up just as Idris appeared, his expression grave.“Something’s wrong.”Cassian stirred at her movement, instantly alert. “What is it?”Idris glanced toward the treeline. “Scouts spotted something near the Rift site. Or what’s left of it.”Lena’s stomach tightened. “What do you mean?”Idris hesitated before answering. “They say it’s still there.”Dorian, who had just emerged from his tent, scoffed. “That’s impossible. We shut it down.”Idris nodded grimly. “That’s what I thought, too. But they swear they saw something moving. And there’s… a sound.”Lena was already on her feet. “Take me there.”Cassian rose beside her. “Lena—”“
The cavern walls no longer pulsed with dark energy. The air, once thick with malice, now hung heavy with silence. Lena could still feel the remnants of her magic flickering through her veins, the aftershocks of the battle leaving her drained.Cassian hadn't let go of her hand. His grip was firm, steady—a grounding force in the wake of chaos.Dorian ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Well, that was fun. Who wants to do it again?"Idris shot him a glare before kneeling beside the fallen man’s body. He pressed two fingers to the man’s throat, waiting, searching.Lena already knew.“He’s gone,” she whispered.Idris nodded grimly. “The Rift used him until there was nothing left.”A sick feeling curled in Lena’s stomach. This man—whoever he had been—had been alive before the Rift took him. A vessel, a shell, but still human.And now, because of them, he was dead.Cassian shifted beside her. “It wasn’t your fault.”She swallowed hard, not sure if she believed that.Dorian crouch
Darkness surged around Lena like a living force, swallowing sound and light in its wake. She tried to move, but the shadows clung to her, thick as tar. A sharp chill seeped into her bones, numbing her limbs.Then she heard it.A whisper.You don’t belong here.Her pulse pounded. The voice wasn’t just in her ears—it was inside her head, crawling through her thoughts like venom.Cassian’s grip on her hand tightened. “Lena, stay with me.” His voice was steady, but she could hear the tension beneath it. He was afraid too.The Rift’s magic pulsed again, and suddenly they were no longer standing on the floating rock.They were falling.The world twisted, folding in on itself. The sky shattered like glass, and for a moment, Lena glimpsed something beyond the Rift—a void so deep it made her stomach churn.Then—impact.She hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from her lungs. A dull ringing filled her ears as she tried to push herself up. The ground beneath her wasn’t stone or earth—it felt
The realization sat heavy in Lena’s chest. The Rift wasn’t gone. It was lurking, waiting, biding its time beneath the surface. She stared down at the unconscious man, his body still twitching, his breath shallow. The black veins that marred his skin pulsed faintly, as though something inside him was still alive. Cassian’s hand found her arm, grounding her. “Lena… what did you see?” She swallowed, forcing herself to steady her voice. “It’s not over.” Dorian let out a sharp breath. “Of course it’s not. Why would we ever catch a break?” Idris crouched beside the fallen man, his fingers hovering over the corrupted veins. A flicker of magic passed between them, and his brow furrowed. “It’s weak… but it’s still there. The Rift’s influence hasn’t disappeared entirely. It’s just—” He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Sleeping.” A chill crawled up Lena’s spine. Cassian cursed under his breath. “Then we have a problem.” The city had barely begun to recover. The people were holding on by
The air in the ruined palace was thick with the scent of scorched stone and lingering magic. Lena’s heartbeat was a steady drum in her ears as she took in the aftermath.The Rift was gone.The masked figure had fallen.But the city was still in ruins.Lena pulled away from Cassian’s support, straightening despite the exhaustion in her bones. She could feel the lingering traces of the Rift’s energy—faint whispers in the air, like a dying echo. It no longer had a hold on this world, but the scars it had left behind were undeniable.“We need to check the city,” she said, voice hoarse. “See who survived.”Dorian let out a low breath, rolling his shoulders. “Right. Just survived an ancient, world-ending catastrophe, and now we’re doing a headcount.” He shook his head but didn’t argue. “Fine. Let’s move before we get buried in this place.”Idris, still leaning on his staff, nodded. “The corruption may be gone, but not everyone will have been freed instantly. Some might be lost… permanently.
The palace doors yawned open, a gaping maw of darkness swallowing the moonlight. A sickly chill crawled over Lena’s skin as she took a step forward, Cassian at her side, his grip tightening around his sword. Dorian and Idris flanked them, their expressions grim.The masked figure didn’t move, their presence as still as a statue. Only their voice carried through the ruined halls, thick with something ancient and knowing.“You can feel it, can’t you?” They tilted their head toward Lena. “The Rift sings for you.”A pulse of energy throbbed beneath her ribs, responding to the call. She clenched her fists, shoving the feeling down. “The only thing I feel is the need to end this.”The figure laughed, a sound that echoed eerily. “End this? Oh, child, you still don’t understand.” They spread their arms, gesturing to the ruined palace. “This was never about war. This was about balance. You’ve tipped the scales, Lena. You think you’ve won just because you made it back?”The shadows along the wa
The road to the capital was unrecognisable.Once-paved paths had been reduced to crumbling stone, overgrown with wild brambles and scorched earth. Smoke clung to the air, thick and acrid, as distant fires raged. The closer they got, the more Lena could feel it—the Rift’s presence. It pulsed beneath her skin like a second heartbeat, whispering in the back of her mind.Come closer. Come home.She clenched her fists, shoving the voice aside.They moved in silence, the weight of the war hanging over them. Cassian stayed close, his hand brushing against hers whenever the road grew treacherous. Dorian scouted ahead, daggers glinting at his sides, while Idris murmured quiet incantations, sensing for traps.The capital’s walls loomed ahead. Once pristine and towering, they were now lined with jagged cracks, tendrils of dark energy slithering across the stone. The city’s gates had been blasted open, twisted metal barely hanging onto the ruined archway.Lena’s stomach twisted. This isn’t just w