The night was darker than ever.
Clouds covered the sky.
The palace stood… damaged, but alive.
Aira stood on the ground—
Silent.
Still.
But inside her—
A storm was rising.
"You shouldn't be here alone," Kael's voice came from behind.
Aira didn't turn.
"I'm not alone anymore," she said softly.
The shadows around her moved—
Like they were breathing.
Alive.
Kael stepped beside her.
"The enemy will return," he said.
"They won't stop now."
Aira clenched her fists.
"Good."
Kael looked at her—
Surprised.
"I'm done running."
Suddenly—
The ground beneath them shook.
A deep crack formed across the palace yard.
BOOM!
Dark energy burst from below.
Kael pulled Aira back.
"What is that?!"
From the ground—
Creatures began to rise.
Not fully human.
Not fully shadow.
Something in between.
"The underground…" Kael whispered.
"They've opened a gate."
Aira stepped forward.
Her eyes glowing faintly.
"No… he opened it."
She could feel him.
That same dark presence.
Watching.
Controlling everything.
The creatures attacked.
Fast.
Brutal.
Kael fought with precision—
Cutting through them one by one.
But they kept coming.
Endless.
Aira closed her eyes.
For a moment—
Everything went silent.
She could hear it again—
The shadows calling her.
Not fighting her…
Listening to her.
She raised her hand.
Slowly.
The ground responded.
Shadows erupted from beneath—
Wrapping around the creatures.
Crushing them.
Pulling them back into darkness.
Kael stopped fighting.
Watching her.
"This power…" he said quietly.
"It's growing."
Aira opened her eyes.
Completely calm now.
"No," she said.
"I'm growing."
Suddenly—
A voice echoed again.
Cold.
Dark.
"You're learning fast…"
Aira looked up.
"Come out and face me!"
Silence.
Then—
"Soon."
Everything went still again.
The creatures were gone.
The ground healed.
But the air—
Still felt heavy.
Kael walked closer.
"This war isn't just outside," he said.
Aira nodded.
"I know."
She looked at her hands—
No fear.
Only control.
"The next time he comes…"
She said slowly—
"I won't just fight."
Her eyes darkened.
"I'll end it."