2025-10-20 04:23:43The battlefield burned, fire and run in every direction.
Eryndor Kaelen cut through the chaos, his sword flashing sliver and red under the blood soaked sky, his breath hard, his lungs full of smoke and fury.
“ Left flank, Eryndor! Now!” Elias Thorne's voice called out, it was sharp and clear.
Without hesitation, Eryndor turned and charged. He didn't question Elias, never had.
They had grown up together and best friends, fought side by side since they were boys.
Where one went, the other followed. It have always been like that.
“ Behind you!” Elias shouted again.
Eryndor turned back and sliced down a soldier in a dark armor.
“Thanks” He called back, panting.
Elias grinned across the battlefield “ Don't slow down on me now”
Eryndor gave a small, tired laugh “ Wouldn't dare”
Their sword moved in rhythm, back to back, striking down foe after foe.
They were a force of nature, unstoppable.
Victory hummed in Eryndor's bones as he drove his blade deep into the last solder's chest twisting hard before yanking it out, the man dropped lifeless.
Eryndor turned toward Elias breathless, sweat on his brow.
“ We have won, Elias” He grinned.
Elias stood a few feet away, sword in hand.
He smiled but it wasn't the smile Eryndor knew, it was calm, cold and wrong.
Before Eryndor could react, pain exploded in his chest.
He looked down, Elias's sword burned deep inside him.
Eryndor staggered, gasping.
His eyes locked onto Elias's, wide with shock
“ Why?” He rasped “ Why, of all people... You?”
Elias stepped closer, twisting the blade before pulling it free
“ You were always meant to fall, Eryndor ” He said softly “ You just never saw it coming ”
“ Elias, you...” he tries to speak but his words drowned in blood.
His knees hit the ground
From the corner of his fading vision, he saw her
Elira Valea
Her dark hair streamed behind her as she ran, her eyes wide, her face pale with horror.
“ Eryndor ” she screamed, her voice breaking
He lifted a trembling hand toward her, just once, then everything went black.
Eryndor woke up to cold, darkness, no ground beneath him and no sky above.
“ I was betrayed!” he roared , the sound tearing through the void, it was of fury not of pain.
“ Eryndor Kaelen” A whisper, soft as wind
His body tensed as he turned quickly “ Who's there?” he asked.
“ Nyxir” the voice said, it was a voice of an ancient woman “ Queen of the Abyss”
“ Where am i” he demanded
“ Between life and death” Nyxir replied calmly.
“ What do you want from me ” he asked as he tightened his jaw.
A soft laugh echoed around him
“ Nothing ” Nyxir said “ Only to give you what you want”
“ What I want?” he asked, confused.
“ Oh yes.... You were betrayed” Nyxir's voice coiled around him like smoke. “ You crave vengeance, don't you?”
“ Yes” Eryndor growled, no hesitation in his voice.
“ I was loyal ” he said louder, sounding raw “ I bled for them, and he...” his words cracked with hurt and fury “ he stabbed me like a dog!”
“ Will you trade your honour.... For vengeance, Eryndor?” Nyxir asked, sounding soft and sharp.
Silence fell
Elias's golden eyes flashed in his mind, Elira's scream, the feeling of the cold steel in his chest, the taste of betrayal ”
His breath turned ragged, he clenched his fist as he slowly lifted his head, his eyes burned through the dark.
“ Name your price” Eryndor said, his voice steady
From the darkness, a shape emerged , wings like shadow , no face but her eyes were a deep, glowing violet with flickers of black in the middle.
Darkenes curled at the edge of her mouth, like she just smiled .
“ I will give you life” she said, her voice like silk.
“ but not as you were” her eyes glowed in the void.
Eryndor swallowed, confused
“ What do you mean?” he asked
“ You were once a hero, loved and honored’ she said drifting closer, her wings curling behind her like a torn sails.
“ But vengeance stains the soul, you cannot return as a savior..only as a curse”
He clenched his fist tight “ If it means I can destroy Elias, then I'll take it”
He slowly opened his eyes , blinking at the unfamiliar room around him.
Stone walls rose high, silk curtains swayed gently and a grand bed with a golden carvings stood behind him.
His chest rose and fall, his hands trembling slightly. He was alive
A soft gasp came from the doorway.
“ My Lord Lucien, you have awakened ” A servant called out eyes wide with relief.
Lucien?
He sat up carefully and glanced up at the polish mirror nearby, his reflection stared back.
The man staring black wasn't him, his hair was dark, his eye, icy gray, sharp and cold and his face cruelty handsome.
“ This isn't me” he whispered voice barely steady.
The servant bowed deeply, her hand trembling “ Forgive me, my Lord, should I call for the physician? ”
He turned to her, ignoring her question he watched the fear in her shaking hands, he knows it was not of respect but of pure tremor.
“ What kind of man was I?” he muttered, his voice low and heavy with doubt
The door creaked open .
A guard rushed in, breathing hard. “ My Lord, your brother, Lord Aric, has come to see you”
A tall man entered wearing a smooth smile.
“ Lucien Ardent, you've survived ” Aric said , his voice sounding calm. “ You gave us quite a fright, especially selene ”
Lucien studies him carefully, his icy gray eyes hato and cold.
But all he could of was that he wasn't Eryndor Kaelen anymore
But Lucien Ardent.
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Chapter 11
Lucien looked away Marr, looking at her tall windows at the end of the hall.Marr stepped into Lucien's sight, his arms crossed “ You always hated the cold, yet her you are sitting in a room that could freeze bone”Lucien didn't respond, he just watched Marr“ Remember when we got trapped in the hollow spines during the winter raids? You nearly lost your toes to frostbite, you swore you'd never ride north again” Marr said, chuckling Lucien gave a faint nod “ I remember ” But he didn't. Not reallyThe memories weren't his.Marr stepped closer, watching him “ You are quieter than I remember, more distant”Lucien looked up, meeting his eyes “ A lot changes after a man almost dies ”“ That does it” Marr said softlyHe paused , then added “ But not everything, some things stay the same. Loyalty for one”Lucien let the silence stretchedMarr gave a half smile“ You used to trust me with everything. Lucien, what changed?” Marr askedLucien leaned back, his arms folded“ You tell me” He
Chapter 10
Lucien stood in the silence for a while after the guards left.The folded parchment still burning in the pocket of his tunic He exhaled slowly and then left for the hall.The hall was quiet that morning, the morning sun barely reaching through the tall windowsA servant had already laid out the meal, he looked around the table, black tea, hard bread and spiced meat.A servant came forward and pulled out the dark chair at the head of the table, its legs scraping softly against the floor.He sat slowly, bringing the seat forward himself The servant bowed and then turned and walked awaySteam curled up from the waiting cup of tea, he stared at it for a moment before reaching for the handle.He was mid sip when the door creaked open, he didn't look up but the scent of crushed roses drifted into the room before the footsteps.“ Selene” he said calmly without turning “ Did your husband send you to spy or you are here on your own curiosity?” he asked taking a sip of his teaShe stepped int
Chapter 9
Lucien woke slowly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light.The ceiling swam above him as he sat up, and a wave of weakness washed over him.His body felt heavy, like he hadn't moved in days.Sweat clung to his skin, cold against the heat burning inside him.He looked down at his arm, the cloth wrapped around it was dark with dried blood.“Still alive”he muttered, his voice hoarse.He pushed the covers aside and stood. His legs almost gave out beneath him.“Damn it” he hissed, catching himself on the bedpost.The poison still lingered, not strong enough to kill him now, but enough to drag him down.He took a breath and let it out slowly.“You’ll walk. You’ve done worse.”Each step was careful as he made his way across the cold stone floor.He reached the bathroom door and pushed it open.The air inside was thick with steam. The scent of herbs and metal filled the space.Lucien leaned against the wall for a moment, breathing hard.He moved slowly and stopped by the tub, He took off his
Chapter 8
Morning light slipped through the window of Lucien’s chamber. He sat close to the hearth, the fire low. A cup of tea sat on the table beside him, long gone cold. He hadn’t moved in hours still as stone, his eyes fixed on the flames.A soft knock broke the silence.“My lord,” a voice came from behind the door. “Lord Elias is here to see you. Shall I send him in?”Lucien didn’t look up instead a faint smile touched his lips.“Let him in.”The door creaked open, and Lucien finally lifted his gaze.Elias stepped in, wearing a silver and black cloak. His steps were sharp, his shoulders tense, every movement tight with purpose.Lucien leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his face as he watched him.“Ardent,” Elias said, voice cold.Lucien raised an eyebrow. “I assume this isn’t a courtesy visit,” Lucien said, still watching Elias with a calm, amused look.Elias folded his hands behind his back. “The council has given its final word. You are to comply. No more delays.”Lucien lea
Chapter 7
As Lucien walked away from selene, his mind was still heavy with the truth about Eryndor and the war, it was all starting to unravel and yet he still felt like he was only at the surface of it all.Back in his chambers, the silence in the room was thick and pressing. He sat at the edge of his bed, rubbing his temple.A soft knock came at the door “ come” he called outA young servant stepped in holding a seal scroll.“my lord” The boy said bowing slightly “ A message from the council” the boy stepped forward to hand him the scrollLucien took the scroll and the young boy stepped back and bowed.He broke the seal and scanned the content, his eyes narrowing.He was being summoned to the court at noon.“ Did they say say?” he asked the young servant “ No my lord” the boy repliedLucien exhaled slowly, tossing the scroll to the side“ You can go” he said dismissing the young servant with a nod.He glanced up at the wall clock above him, he breathed in and expelled it slowly seeing he d
Chapter 6
Lucien sat in the corner of the dim chamber, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. One hand gripped a glass of whiskey, the other clenched tightly into a fist on his knee.His jaw tensed.“Why did I kiss her?”The question spun endlessly in his mind, loud even in the silence.He took a slow sip, letting the burn crawl down his throat. It didn’t help.Selene.Her name alone made his chest tighten. “It wasn’t love” he muttered under his breath. No, it was something darker. Loneliness, maybe. Or anger. A need to feel anything other than the constant weight of hate pressing down on him.He hated that her kiss still lingered on his lips. Hated how his body had leaned into hers, how he let it happen. How he kissed her back.“Damn it” he breathed, setting the glass down with a sharp clink. Her voice echoed in his head. Her tears. The way she held him. Lucien leaned forward, elbows on his knees, burying his face in his hands. He wanted to silence the noise in his head. But s
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