The wind howled outside the ruins of the old temple as Keal stood frozen, his hand trembling above the blood-soaked sigil on the floor. The ritual had ended, but the whispering hadn't.
"Keal..."
It wasn't his name that unsettled him—it was the voice. Her voice.
"Liora?" he whispered, eyes wide.
The air shimmered. Out of the mist formed a faint silhouette. Pale, translucent, and glowing softly with blue light, it looked just like her. His second love. The woman who had fought beside him, bled for him, and smiled even when the world was falling apart.
But she was supposed to be asleep—wounded and unconscious at the sanctuary with the others.
"Keal..." the ghostly voice said again, firmer this time. "They're watching you."
His heart thudded. "Who? The High Circle?"
"No. Him." Her gaze flicked to the shadows behind the altar.
Keal spun around, energy crackling around his palm. "Show yourself."
The shadows shifted. A man stepped out—cloaked in obsidian robes, face hidden behind a silver mask etched with runes. It was him. Vaelric, the Betrayer. The friend who became the enemy. The one who had taken everything.
"Still hiding behind ghosts, Keal?" Vaelric said coldly. "Still chasing vengeance as if it'll bring your family back?"
Keal didn't speak. He knew better. Vaelric thrived on words—twisting them like blades.
Instead, Keal summoned his power. The ground around him shivered with raw force. Fire danced in his eyes, but this time, it was controlled. Focused. His second love had taught him that—Aurelya, with her calm intelligence and unshakable faith in him.
"Fight me," Keal said, voice dark and deep. "No more running. No more tricks."
Vaelric laughed, a sound full of venom. "Oh, we'll fight, old friend. But not here. Not yet. I want you to know everything before I destroy you."
And with that, the temple floor cracked. A shockwave burst from beneath, sending Keal flying back. The illusion shattered—Vaelric was gone. And so was the ghostly vision of Liora.
Keal lay in the rubble, breathing hard, heart pounding. Was that really Liora? Or just a warning?
Then he heard it. Footsteps. Real ones this time.
Aurelya ran to him, face pale, eyes wild with worry. "You're hurt! Gods, Keal, what happened?!"
He looked up at her—this woman who had become his anchor in a world of shadows. Her hand reached for him, and he took it.
"Vaelric's back," he said grimly. "And he's playing a much deeper game than I thought."
Aurelya nodded slowly, but there was fear in her eyes. Not for herself—but for him.
"Then we'll play too," she said softly. "And we'll win."
As she helped him to his feet, Keal made a silent vow.
He wouldn't lose her. Not like the others.
Not to fate. Not to betrayal.
Not even to death.
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