The forest clearing was quiet, the air heavy with tension as Kael and his team stood ready. Arden gripped his massive axe, Seris's staff hummed with faint energy, and Joran's daggers glinted in the dim light. Kael's sword burned brightly in his hand, reflecting the fire of his anger.
From the opposite side of the clearing, Rhylen and his team emerged from the shadows. Rhylen led the group, his red eye glowing faintly in the darkness. Behind him were Valen, clad in dark armor; Lyra, her bow casually resting on her shoulder; Moren, whose hands pulsed with ominous energy; and Xara, her face hidden beneath a dark hood.
Kael's eyes locked onto Rhylen, and fury erupted within him. Without hesitation, he charged forward, his blade sparking with power.
"Kael, wait!" Seris called out, but her words were drowned by the sound of his sword slicing through the air.
Rhylen stepped forward, holding up his hand. "Stop, Kael! We're here to talk, not to fight!"
Kael didn't slow down. His blade came down hard, but Rhylen caught it with his own sword, the clash sending sparks flying. The force of Kael's attack pushed Rhylen back slightly, but he stood firm.
"Enough!" Rhylen shouted, his voice echoing through the clearing. "We're not your enemies, Kael!"
Kael glared at him, his sword still pressing against Rhylen's. "Not my enemies? After everything you've done? After you killed that old man? You think I'll just stand here and listen to you?"
Rhylen gritted his teeth, his voice steady but firm. "I didn't come here to fight you. If I wanted you dead, you'd already be lying in a pool of your own blood. We're here because we need your help—and because you need ours."
"Lies!" Kael growled, pushing harder against Rhylen's blade.
Valen, standing behind Rhylen, drew his sword. "You want a fight, kid? I'll give you one."
"Stand down, Valen!" Rhylen barked without looking back. "This isn't a battle. Not yet."
Arden stepped forward, his axe resting on his shoulder. "If it's a fight they want, we'll gladly give it to them. Kael's not alone anymore."
Lyra smirked, raising her bow. "Oh, I'd love to see you try, big guy."
Seris raised her staff, her eyes glowing with power. "Enough of this! If you're here to talk, then prove it. Stand down!"
Kael growled, his frustration boiling over. He pulled back his sword and pointed it at Rhylen. "You have one minute to explain yourself. And it better be good."
Rhylen sheathed his sword, stepping back slowly. "We've left the Abyss. All of us. We've turned our backs on the master, Kael. I've done things I'm not proud of, but everything I did was to keep you safe. The master knows who you are—what you are. If we don't stop him together, he'll destroy everything."
Kael's team exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Rhylen's words sinking in.
"Why should we believe you?" Kael spat, his voice filled with anger.
"Because I'm your brother," Rhylen said quietly. "And no matter what's happened between us, I'll always protect you. Even if it costs me my life."
The clearing fell silent. Kael stared at Rhylen, his grip on his sword loosening. He wanted to believe him, but the scars of betrayal ran deep.
Arden broke the silence, his voice gruff. "Kael, what do we do?"
Kael looked at his team, then back at Rhylen. Finally, he lowered his sword, though his eyes remained hard. "We'll listen. But if this is some kind of trick, Rhylen, I swear I'll end you myself."
Rhylen nodded, relief flickering across his face. "That's all I ask."
As the two teams stood together, the tension lingering but no longer hostile, a shadow moved in the distance, watching. Unseen by either side, the master's spy slipped away, a sinister smile on their lips. The battle for trust may have ended for now, but the war was only beginning.