2026-01-05 20:52:37"Today is a day of celebration. Today, we gather not to discuss threats to our borders or challenges to our peace. Today, we gather to honour the next generation of heroes. Today, we welcome new blood into the Elite Squad that has served this kingdom faithfully for three centuries."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. Kael felt his cheeks flush with pride and embarrassment.
"But before we begin the formal induction."
King Aldric continued, reaching for a golden goblet that a servant had placed on a small table beside his throne.
"I propose a toast."
He raised the goblet high, and immediately servants rushed through the room with remarkable efficiency, distributing cups of wine to everyone present. Kael received his own cup, the metal cool against his palm.
"A toast."
The king repeated.
"To the young men and women who have trained tirelessly, who have pushed themselves beyond their limits, who have proven themselves worthy of standing among legends."
His eyes found Kael in the crowd, and for just a moment, his expression softened into something that might have been genuine paternal pride.
"To the inductees. May your blades stay sharp, your courage stay strong, and your loyalty remain absolute."
"To the inductees!"
The room chorused, voices blending into a single powerful affirmation.
Kael drank deeply, the wine sweet and strong on his tongue, warming his chest as it went down. Around him, others did the same, and the mood in the room lifted perceptibly, formality giving way to something more celebratory.
King Aldric set down his goblet and smiled.
"And now, let us begin. Will the inductees please approach?"
Kael's legs felt like water as he stepped forward with the other five young warriors being inducted today. They formed a line at the base of the dais, and one by one, the king called them up to receive their formal acceptance.
"Theron Blackwood, for exceptional skill in tactical combat!"
A muscular young man with dark hair climbed the steps, knelt before the king, and received a ceremonial pin marking his acceptance into the Elite Squad.
"Mira Ashenvale, for unparalleled mastery of healing magic!"
A slight girl with silver hair and gentle eyes repeated the process.
Three more names were called. Three more warriors knelt and rose as official Elite Squad members. And then…
"Kael Ashford!"
The king's voice rang out clear and strong.
"Son of... a loyal servant of the crown. Approach!"
Kael's breath caught at the odd phrasing, why hadn't his father mentioned his noble lineage? But he pushed the confusion aside. This was his moment.
He couldn't let strange thoughts ruin it.
The double doors at the throne room's entrance swung open again, this time for him. Kael walked through them, his spine straight, his chin up, his movements careful and measured.
He'd practised this. Master Rendall had drilled him on proper ceremony protocol for weeks.
Left foot, right foot. Don't rush. Don't drag. Look confident but humble. Eyes forward but not challenging.
The walk to the dais seemed to take both seconds and hours. He was hyper-aware of everyone watching him, of hundreds of eyes tracking his every movement. He could hear the whispers, some admiring, some sceptical, some he couldn't interpret.
Finally, he reached the base of the dais.
He climbed the three steps with careful precision and stopped directly in front of his father, no, in front of the king. Here, at this moment, Aldric wasn't his father. He was his sovereign.
Kael dropped to one knee, his right fist pressed over his heart in the traditional salute. He bowed his head, staring at the polished stone floor, and waited.
"Kael Ashford."
King Aldric's voice washed over him, formal and ceremonial.
"You have trained for this moment. You have bled for it. You have proven yourself worthy through skill, determination, and courage. It is my honour, as king and commander of all forces within this realm, to name you the sixth member of the Elite Squad's newest generation."
Applause erupted throughout the throne room, thunderous and genuine. Kael felt his eyes sting with unexpected tears. He blinked them back furiously, refusing to cry at his own induction ceremony.
The king stepped forward and pinned the Elite Squad insignia to Kael's chest, a silver emblem shaped like a phoenix rising from flames, the symbol that marked him as one of the kingdom's finest warriors.
Aldric's hands lingered for just a moment on Kael's shoulders, squeezing once, before he stepped back.
"Rise, Kael Ashford. Rise as a full member of the Elite Squad."
Kael stood and the applause somehow grew even louder. He turned to face the crowd and that's when he saw her, Lyanna, standing near the front, clapping enthusiastically. When their eyes met, she broke from the crowd's formal applause to wave at him, her smile radiant and genuine.
Kael couldn't help it. Despite the formality of the occasion, despite the king standing right behind him, he smiled and waved back. The gesture earned a few chuckles from the crowd and even a small laugh from his father.
Kael bowed to the assembled guild members, acknowledging their congratulations, then descended the dais. A servant guided him to a seat that had been reserved for him, directly next to
Queen Seraphine's throne was a position of honour usually reserved for the monarch's most trusted advisors.
As he sat, his mother leaned toward him slightly. Her voice was quiet, meant only for his ears, and it trembled just a bit.
"Congratulations, my son."
"Thank you, Mother."
Kael's voice was thick with emotion.
"Thank you for everything."
She reached out and squeezed his hand once and quickly, before pulling back. When Kael glanced at her face, he could have sworn he saw tears gathering in her violet eyes, but she blinked them away before he could be sure.
King Aldric returned to his throne, settling into it with satisfaction. He let the applause continue for another moment before raising his hand for silence. The room quieted immediately, all attention returning to him.
"Now then"
The king said, his voice taking on a more relaxed, conversational tone…
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CHAPTER 80
The journey back to the Duskborne estate was heavy with the silence of the night. Kael rode ahead of the wagon with his shadow magic hiding their presence from the King's scouts still lurking around the bushes.When they finally arrived, the massive stone gates of his home opened slowly, revealing the dark courtyard. The odd smell of old magic and dried blood still hung in the air from the basement where his parents almost died for him. He could feel it with his magic, that familiar scent that reminded him of the sacrifice they made.Lord Severin and Lady Morrigan were waiting for them in the main hall. They looked tired but their eyes widened when they saw Kael walking in with the violet flames dancing softly around his shoulders. He was no longer dying, he was pumped up and ready to strike the people who ruined his life. His mother ran to him and hugged him tightly, shedding tears of relief on his dark robes. Kael held her and a soft smile curled across the corners of his lips.
CHAPTER 79
Marcus charged forward, his fire sword cutting through the cold air, but the guards slept peacefully far away, forgetting that the shadow and devil they had made now walked among them. While men slept, the enemy attacked and Kael was pumped up and ready to strike. The odd smell hit Marcus first, the smell of pure overwhelming power.Old paper, dry and heavy with dust that dated back centuries, surrounded Marcus, choking his fire magic. He could feel it with his magic and beneath it was something else, it felt like dried blood, that metallic scent filled the air. He knew of course that shadow magic always carried a strange aura even when it was old and unknown, but this was the power of a Prince reborn, a power he could not match. And somehow, it felt like its presence was here, apart from the ones he knew, crushing his confidence completely.But of course, darkness couldn't be owned by men who just wanted it for pleasure, it needed men who had the grit to do whatever it takes to pr
CHAPTER 78
The guards slept peacefully in the fortress they had just conquered, forgetting that the shadow and devil they had made now walked among them, and was leaving them behind. While men slept, the enemy attacked and Kael was pumped up and ready to strike, but there was no enemy left in the stone walls now. He walked out of the broken gates with Elira and Cassidy, moving his fingers carefully in the cold night air.The odd smell hit him first.It was not the smell of the dungeon anymore, it was like old paper, dry and heavy with dust that dated back centuries, coming from the dark forest ahead of them. He could feel it with his magic and beneath it was something else. It felt like dried blood, that foul scent filled the air of the woods, wrapping around the trees. He knew of course that shadow magic always carried a strange aura even when it was old and unknown, but this was different, this felt like danger that was hiding. And somehow, it felt like its presence was here, apart from th
CHAPTER 77
Elira lay curled up in the corner of the wet cell and she was shivering uncontrollably. Her wrists were bleeding from the tight ropes and her face was covered in dirt and bruises. Cassidy was lying beside her and the old healer was breathing very heavily. They looked broken and defeated. They were actually dying in this terrible place because they tried to save his life.Kael did not waste any time. He grabbed the iron bars of the cell door and he pulled. The metal bent and snapped under the sheer force of his shadow magic. He threw the broken door aside and he stepped into the small space.The sudden noise woke Elira up. She raised her head weakly and she covered her eyes at the bright violet light that filled the dark room. Her green eyes widened in absolute shock as she saw him. She thought she was hallucinating or maybe she was finally dead."Kael," she whispered and her voice was heavy and no longer sassy as it used to be, and it hurt him badly. "Is it really you?” She asked.
CHAPTER 76
The night was cold and heavy with the smell of death and anticipation. Kael Duskborne walked out of the basement and left the Duskborne estate behind him. He was no longer the weak boy who was dying on the altar. He was a force of nature now and he was pumped up and ready to strike. The shadow magic inside him was no longer a chaotic storm but a pure violet flame that burned away his pain and his fear. He did not need a wagon or a horse. He had the shadows and the shadows listened to him completely. He moved through the darkness like a ghost and the miles between his home and the fortress in the North disappeared under his boots.He thought about the king and the anger boiled inside him again. King Aldric thought he had won the game. The king thought he could crush the Oak Flower and leave Kael to rot while he sat on his throne of cheap iron and fur. But the king was playing chess with a cheater. Kael was the devil they made, and he had the grit, courage, and strength to do whatev
CHAPTER 75
The battle inside Kael was merciless and shook the walls of his mind. The poison was heavy and boldly written across his soul and it wanted him dead. It burned like fire and it tore at his magic trying to destabilise the room of his heart, his very core. Of course, that was why the magic was very strong and effective. It excelled at destroying its victim from the inside out and leading it his or her death.But Kael was no longer afraid of the fire. He was the devil they made and he had the courage and evil to do whatever it takes.He pushed the shadows forward and they clashed with the poison. It was a terrifying process. He could feel every ounce of pain inflicted by the toxic poison that was unwilling to let go. It felt like needles piercing his soul but he did not pull away. He remembered the words of the Whore Spirit. He remembered the vision of the king sitting on the throne and laughing at his death."You are a threat to the throne," the king had said."I am the end of the thron
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