The river roared behind them, its spray misting the air, but no one turned back. The grass underfoot was damp, the earth cracked where silver and red had clashed. Smoke still lingered from the fight, but the hunters were gone. For now.Aiden leaned heavily on Kylian’s shoulder as they walked, his body still weak. His eyes had returned to their usual color, but the memory of that silver glow lingered in everyone’s mind. No one spoke of it. Not yet.The stranger walked ahead, blades sheathed but hands always near their hilts, eyes scanning the horizon. Elara followed behind, her bow in hand, silver eyes dark with thought.The only sound was the river fading into the distance and the crunch of their steps.Finally, Kylian broke the silence. His voice was tight, raw from shouting in battle. “We should rest. Aiden needs.”“No,” Elara cut in sharply. “Not here. Not anywhere near this place. The hunters will return, and if Kael calls others…” Her gaze swept the horizon. “We must reach the w

The square glowed like day. Silver fire poured from the citadel gates, flooding the cracked stones, burning back the black flames that caged them. The shadow tendrils shrieked as they withered, retreating into the ground.Elara collapsed to her knees, freed from the crushing grip. She coughed blood, her cloak torn, but her silver eyes still burned faintly. Kylian scrambled to her side, pulling her back from the heat, his own chest heaving with fear.The stranger stumbled to a halt, daggers raised, staring at the blaze with wary awe.And Aiden, Aiden could barely breathe. The silver glow in his eyes flared brighter, answering the light from the citadel. His sword trembled in his grip, his veins humming with energy that wasn’t fully his own. The fire parted, and the figure stepped forward.It was a man. Tall, cloaked in silver robes that shimmered like liquid light. His face was partly hidden beneath a hood, but what showed was strong, sharp lines, eyes like molten silver, glowing sof

The crater still smoked. Dust hung thick in the air, glowing faintly in the light of Aiden’s mismatched eyes. Every breath stung with ash and burnt stone.Kylian stumbled forward, his legs weak, his sword dragging across the ground. His chest ached from the blast, but he didn’t care. His eyes locked on the lone figure standing at the crater’s heart. His brother. “Aiden,” Kylian called, his voice breaking.Aiden stood still, his head bowed, silver fire flickering along one arm, black shadow writhing across the other. His grip on his sword was tight, knuckles pale, as if letting go would shatter him completely.He looked up slowly. His silver eyes blazed. His red eyes glowed. And his lips moved. “Run.”The word echoed, layered with two voices. Elara was behind Kylian, her bow trembling in her hands though no arrows remained. Her silver eyes widened with alarm. “He’s losing control.”The stranger stood farther back, daggers drawn, their hood torn and face bruised from the shockwave. The