The rain fell like the sky’s punishment. Chains clinked with every breath Kael took. The mud beneath his knees was black and cold, swallowing what little dignity he had left. Around him, the crowd jeered, miners, guards, merchants, faces he once called neighbors. “That’s the thief.”“He killed his overseer!”“Let the lightning burn the filth clean!”Kael’s head hung low, soaked hair hiding his eyes. His wrists bled where the iron bit deep. The square reeked of wet stone and cruelty.“Kael Thorn,” the overseer read from a parchment, his voice smug, “sentenced to branding for theft, rebellion, and destruction of Imperial property.”Kael’s voice was hoarse. “You forged the accounts. You stole from us.”The overseer smirked, leaning close. “And who will believe a debtor’s son over me?” He lifted a glowing brand from the fire, a rod tipped with the sigil of the empire, red as the devil’s tongue.The heat shimmered in the rain. Steam hissed as it touched the surface. Kael didn’t flinch. He

Kael stumbled through the alleys with Mira dragging him by the arm. His back burned where the brand still pulsed, every heartbeat whispering pain.Behind them, the city screamed, bells, fire, soldiers shouting his name. “Stop pulling,” Kael hissed.“Then run faster,” Mira shot back. “You light up like a beacon every time you breathe.”They turned a corner and nearly collided with two patrolling guards. Mira didn’t hesitate, she threw a handful of powder into the air. The spark flared green, blinding. The men cried out, clutching their eyes. Kael blinked through the smoke. “What was that?”“Sleeping ash,” she said, catching her breath. “Hurts like hell if you inhale it. Works every time.”He stared at her, trying to catch up. “Who are you?” “A healer,” she replied, voice tight. “And apparently your babysitter now.”Kael’s temper flared. “I don’t need saving.”“You almost died in there.”“I’ve died before,” he snapped.She stopped, turned on him. “Then stop acting like it’s a badge of

The chain sparked alive. The cathedral filled with stormlight as Kael charged, straight into Alaric’s fire.Lightning coiled around Kael’s arms as he faced Alaric in the center of the ruined nave. “You destroyed everything that stood for faith,” Alaric said, his voice echoing through the smoke.“Faith?” Kael spat. “You used faith to bury people alive.”Alaric’s expression was calm, almost tender. “I buried sin. The weak exist to feed the strong. That is divine order.”Kael’s chain lit up in fury. “Then I’ll break your order!”They collided, lightning met holy fire with a scream that split the ceiling. The shockwave threw Mira and Corvin behind shattered pews.Sparks seared the air. Every strike rattled the walls, every blow lighting Kael’s scars until he glowed like a storm given flesh.Alaric deflected a blow and shoved him back. “You’re a child playing god.”Kael’s breath came hard. “And you’re a god who forgot he was human.”Their weapons clashed again. Alaric’s blade carved throug

The night after the Baron’s fall was too quiet. Kael sat alone by the window of an abandoned watchtower, lightning flickering faintly across his fingertips. Outside, the city smoldered under distant rain. Mira paced behind him, restless. Corvin cleaned his dagger by the fire, his gold mask lying beside him. “You’ve been staring at nothing for an hour,” Mira said finally.“Not nothing,” Kael murmured. “I can still hear her.”“The voice from the System?”“Yes.”His eyes were distant, almost haunted. “She keeps whispering the same word, ‘remember.’ But every time I try, it hurts.”Corvin’s tone was dry. “Maybe don’t take advice from the ghost living in your skull.”Kael’s glare cut to him. “You think I asked for this?”Corvin lifted his hands. “Relax. Just saying, half the city already calls you the storm of Rhaegor. Maybe don’t add ‘mad prophet’ to the list.”Mira shot Corvin a warning look. “He’s trying to focus. You could try not being a rat for once.”Corvin smirked. “A charming hea