"Wait here," Kael whispered, eyes locked on the glowing blade beneath the stone.
Yuna grabbed his arm. "Kael, are you serious? Drasken's still down there. You'll be seen—"
"This is the only chance we'll get. Veyrith's down. They're distracted. I have to try."
Yuna hesitated. Then a wicked grin tugged at her lips. "Then let me give you a head start."
She raised her hand, flames swirling in her palm.
Kael's eyes widened. "Yuna, wai—"
But it was too late.
BOOM!
A torrent of blazing fire erupted from the trees just outside the shrine, lighting up the ruins in a sudden, searing inferno.
"What the—?!" Drasken shouted, spinning toward the entrance.
Several Black Fangs scrambled in panic, weapons raised.
Kael didn't wait.
He dove down through the cracked stone wall, landing softly on the broken altar. The sword pulsed with red-black energy, humming as if alive.
There it was.
Up close, it looked even more menacing—jet black, lined with crimson veins that crawled across its surface like living scars. The air around it vibrated, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Kael reached out with his right hand.
His fingers brushed the hilt.
ZZZZT!
Agony exploded through him. His body arched, eyes wide with shock as the sword rejected him violently. The same burning jolt Veyrith felt now coursed through his arm, throwing him backward into the shrine wall.
He groaned, clutching his chest.
"What the hell…?" he panted, staring at his trembling right hand. "Why…?"
He looked at the sword again.
Then, gritting his teeth, he stepped forward and grabbed it with both hands.
The pain surged again—but only in his right hand.
Kael staggered, heart racing. "No. No… this is supposed to be mine…"
His gaze dropped to his left hand.
Hesitantly…
He reached out again.
This time with just the left.
Silence.
No shock. No pain.
The sword sat calmly in his grip—as if it had been waiting for him all along.
Kael exhaled sharply.
And pulled.
WHOOSH!
A blast of wind exploded outward as the sword tore free from the stone, sending a pulse of power rippling through the shrine. The walls trembled. Dust rained down from the ceiling.
Drasken spun around. "What was that?!"
Above, Yuna's eyes widened.
And Kael—
Stood still, sword in hand, its edge gleaming like a dying star.
The crimson veins pulsed faster now… in sync with his heartbeat.
Then—
Black.