The temple shuddered as power surged through the air. Dust fell from the ceiling like ancient snow.
Kael stepped forward, cursed dagger drawn, its edge whispering a name it had never spoken before.
"Aeron."
The Stormblade King stilled. His eyes crackled with blue light.
"So the throne told you my name."
Kael nodded. "It shows me things."
Aeron's grip on the hilt of his sword tightened. "Then it must have shown you how this ends."
Kael's cursed eye flared. "Not yet."
They moved.
Steel rang like thunder.
Kael ducked under a horizontal arc of the Stormblade, the wind trailing behind the blade sharp enough to slice stone. He rolled, bringing his dagger up to deflect a crushing overhead strike—barely.
The impact hurled him back into a pillar, which cracked and collapsed in a spray of dust.
Selene shouted from the edge, blade drawn, but Kael raised a hand. "No."
He pushed himself up. Blood dripped from his forehead, but the curse was thrumming now—feeding him, steadying him.
He was adapting.
Aeron advanced slowly. "You're not ready. You bear the throne's mark, but not its will."
Kael spat blood. "Then I'll carve it into you."
He lunged.
This time, the cursed blade struck true—cutting across Aeron's side, slicing through gold and stormlight.
The Stormblade King hissed, staggered back. Blue fire leaked from the wound.
Kael pressed the attack. Step after step, blow after blow—he began to push Aeron back toward the altar at the temple's heart.
But Aeron slammed his fist into the ground—lightning erupted, knocking Kael off his feet.
Kael hit the stone floor hard. His vision blurred.
When he looked up, Aeron stood over him, sword raised.
"Mercy is for mortals."
But before the blade fell—
Kael's eyes turned black.
The throne stirred. The mark on his arm erupted in flame. A voice—not his—spoke through him.
"Rise."
Kael's body jerked upright. His blade flew into his hand.
He struck.
The cursed dagger plunged through Aeron's chestplate, pinning him to the altar behind him.
Lightning exploded outward—then vanished.
Silence.
Aeron gasped, hands trembling, but smiled. "So… the throne chose well… after all."
Kael stepped back. The power faded from his limbs.
"I don't want to be like you."
Aeron's voice was quiet. "You already are. But you can still choose what kind of monster you become."
He slumped forward, unconscious—or perhaps dead.
The storm above the temple began to fade.
Selene stepped forward, stunned. "Is he…?"
Kael turned to her. His expression unreadable.
"He's not our enemy. Not yet."
He looked at the dagger in his hand, the whispers silent for now.
"But the next one might be."
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End of Chapter 15
Kael has defeated the Stormblade King—but spared his life. The curse is growing stronger, and its voice louder. Can Kael stay in control… or is the throne already guiding his path?