The forest was eerily quiet after the battle.
The wind was still. The air heavy with the green soul energy left behind from the shattered General.
Kaelion, Sylena, and Raik stood at the center of the battlefield.
The ground was cracked, the trees were splintered, and the air reeked of decay.
Sylena: "We should keep moving. The Soul King knows we're here. We don't have time to rest."
Kaelion nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow.
His muscles were sore from the fight. His stone powers were exhausted from the battle.
But they had no choice. They had to keep going.
Suddenly, there was a low rumble in the air, the sound of crushing metal and the beating of heavy footsteps.
Raik's eyes widened. He looked to the horizon.
Raik: "We're not alone."
A figure emerged from the trees — cloaked in black and silver armor, a Soul Knight. But this one wasn't like the others.
He had no green soul flame in his eyes. Instead, they glowed a dull, sickly yellow.
The Soul Knight stepped forward, the ground beneath him cracking with every step.
His blade was drawn, but he didn't raise it. His stance was more like a weary warrior, not a mindless knight.
Kaelion: "Another Soul Knight?"
The Soul Knight spoke, his voice cold and distant, as though he had been wandering alone for far too long.
Soul Knight: "I'm not your enemy... but I'm not your ally either."
Kaelion's grip tightened on his stone power.
Raik tensed, his hands ready to teleport at a moment's notice.
Sylena: "Who are you?"
The Soul Knight's gaze turned to Sylena, but it was distant, unreadable.
Soul Knight: "A knight... who failed. I was once loyal to the Soul King. But after what I saw... what I was forced to do... I left. I refuse to serve him any longer."
Kaelion took a step forward.
There was something off about the knight's presence — a sadness in his words. But could they trust him?
Kaelion: "Then why are you here?"
The rogue knight shifted uneasily, the weight of his decision visible in the lines of his armor.
Soul Knight: "I know you've just defeated one of the Soul King's generals. You've done well... but you can't win this war on your own."
Kaelion's eyes narrowed.
He wasn't sure if this knight was offering them help or trying to trick them.
Soul Knight: "I have information. I can help you defeat the Soul King. But I need something in return."
Sylena and Raik exchanged uneasy glances.
Raik: "And what do you want?"
The rogue knight's voice was steady, but his eyes flickered with a hint of desperation.
Soul Knight: "The Soul King's armies are vast. But I know of a weakness he has — a hidden door to his throne room that's only accessible by one who rejects the soul energy. The Soul King will never see it coming."
Kaelion thought for a moment.
They could trust this rogue knight… but how much could they really rely on him?
After all, he had abandoned his own king.
Kaelion: "Why should we trust you? You were once one of his knights."
The rogue knight stepped back, lowering his head in shame.
Soul Knight: "I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm offering you a chance."
He stepped closer, his voice now barely a whisper.
Soul Knight: "You can either continue fighting alone, or you can work with me and have a real chance to defeat the Soul King. The choice is yours."
The silence between them was thick.
Sylena looked to Kaelion, her expression uncertain.
Sylena: "What do you think?"
Kaelion stood still, his mind racing.
The Soul Knight's offer was tempting. But was it a trap?
Kaelion: "We don't have the luxury of trusting everyone we meet. But we can't keep fighting this alone."
Kaelion turned to the rogue knight.
Kaelion: "Fine. We'll work together. But if you betray us—"
The rogue knight's eyes were hard.
Soul Knight: "I don't betray. I'll help you... but we move quickly."
Raik stepped forward, eyeing the rogue knight with suspicion.
Raik: "Just don't expect us to be friends."
The rogue knight nodded.
Soul Knight: "Fair enough."
As the rogue knight turned and led them into the forest,
Kaelion couldn't shake the feeling that this was a moment of no return.
They had just gained an ally —
but the question was:
How far would this new alliance take them?