Kael's voice shattered the night. Aira pulled away from Sareth, heart pounding, guilt and heat mingling in her blood.
Kael burst into the clearing, sword drawn, eyes blazing with betrayal.
"You kissed him," he growled.
Aira stepped forward. "Kael—"
He ignored her, lunged at Sareth. Their swords clashed, magic sparking in the air. Sareth parried coolly, as if fighting him was second nature.
"You don't own her," Sareth snarled.
"She's not yours either!"
"I never tried to rewrite her!"
Kael's face darkened. "You poisoned her."
"You killed her!"
Their blades locked. Aira screamed, "Stop!"
A blast of power erupted from her—pure, golden light that knocked both men back.
They stared at her in awe.
Aira's hands trembled. "I don't want you fighting over me. I want the truth."
Kael lowered his blade. "You want truth? Then I'll show you."
He reached for her hand.
"No," she said, stepping back. "Not through touch. Through words."
Kael's jaw tensed. "Fine. The first time I met you, I wasn't supposed to. You belonged to another. To him. But he was… dangerous. You were dying with him. He was dragging you into madness."
Sareth scoffed. "She was more alive than she's ever been!"
Kael continued, "I broke the loop. I killed that version of her to save her soul. I saved you, Aira."
Aira was silent. The woods swirled around her like a storm.
Sareth spoke, gentler now. "And yet… you've always wondered why your heart ached for something that never happened. That ache? That was me."
Kael's voice cracked. "And I'd do it again. Because I love you. Not the echo. Not the curse. You."
Aira backed away.
"I need time," she whispered. "I need to feel who I am before I choose either of you."
And she ran.
Not toward Kael. Not toward Sareth.
But into the dark.
Alone.