The air fractured with a bone-deep screech as the shadow creatures lunged.
Dozens of them, all clawed and hollow-eyed, poured through the cracks in the chamber floor, their black mist curling like venomous smoke. The sanctuary's runes flared desperately, straining to hold them back, but the creatures only swarmed faster, drawn to the glow pulsing at Lianna's wrist.
Lianna stumbled back, her chest hammering. "There's too many—!"
"Stand behind me," Auren said firmly, stepping forward. He extended his hand and a shimmering barrier of pale light flared to life, arching around them like a shield. The creatures screeched as they struck it, sparks flying.
Kael's shadows erupted in answer, swirling around him in jagged tendrils. His storm-gray eyes burned with fury as he raised a hand. The nearest shadow creature shrieked before collapsing, dissolved into smoke by the sheer force of his darkness.
The chamber shook with the clash of light and shadow.
"Keep your guard steady," Kael barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "If you falter, they'll tear her apart."
"I don't falter," Auren replied coolly, though his jaw tightened as another wave slammed against his barrier.
Lianna's gaze darted between them, her pulse racing. Kael moved like a storm unleashed—every strike of his shadows was lethal, precise, merciless. Auren fought differently—his movements fluid, each burst of light repelling instead of destroying, creating breathing space around them.
It was like watching two opposing worlds collide.
Her skin burned where her mark pulsed, reacting to both forces.
Lianna pressed her hand against it, gasping. "It—it hurts—"
Auren glanced back quickly, his expression softening. "Don't fight it. Breathe through it. Let the energy flow, or it will consume you."
Kael snarled, his shadows striking down three more creatures in an instant. "Don't listen to him. Control it. Force it into submission before it controls you."
Their voices clashed just as violently as their powers, each pulling her in opposite directions.
The creatures pressed closer, shrieking louder, clawing at Auren's light and Kael's shadows alike.
Lianna dropped to her knees, clutching her wrist, her vision blurring. Heat seared through her veins, too much to bear.
"Lianna!" Auren's voice pierced the haze. He dropped beside her, his hand hovering near her shoulder. "Look at me. You are not alone. Anchor yourself to me."
"Don't touch her," Kael snapped, shadows whipping dangerously around him. His fury was so sharp it made the creatures hesitate, cowering at the edge of his aura. "If she relies on you, she'll never survive what's coming."
Tears burned Lianna's eyes. "I can't—" Her voice cracked as another pulse of energy burst from her mark, sending a ripple through the entire chamber.
Both men froze.
Light exploded outward from her wrist, slamming into the shadow creatures. Dozens disintegrated instantly, their shrieks echoing as they dissolved into nothing. The survivors hissed and retreated, melting back into the cracks from where they came.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Lianna collapsed forward, gasping, her body trembling violently. Smoke and the bitter scent of burnt air lingered around them.
Auren caught her before she hit the ground, his arms steady, his voice gentle. "Easy. It's over. You did it."
Lianna's chest heaved as she tried to focus on his face. His silver hair glowed faintly in the aftermath, his expression soft with quiet pride. For a moment, he looked almost otherworldly—like the kind of savior she'd only ever dreamed of.
But then Kael's shadow loomed, pulling her gaze away. He stood a few steps away, eyes locked on her, his expression unreadable.
"You lost control again," Kael said flatly.
The words cut, sharper than she expected.
"She didn't lose control," Auren countered, holding her closer. "She destroyed them. She survived. That's what matters."
Kael's eyes darkened. "Survival without mastery is meaningless. Next time, it won't be enough."
Lianna's chest ached. His tone was harsh, but behind it, she thought she caught a flicker of something else in his gaze—worry? Anger? No, not anger… fear.
Still, the warmth of Auren's presence beside her was grounding in a way Kael's shadows never were.
"You need rest," Auren said softly, his hand steadying her. "Come with me. I can keep you safe."
Kael's shadows flared instantly, his jaw tight. "She stays here."
Auren rose, his stance protective. "Safety isn't found in chains."
The chamber hummed with tension, silence pressing like a weight. Lianna felt it claw at her chest, tearing her in two.
Both men stared at her—Kael with stormy command, Auren with quiet promise—waiting for her to choose.
Lianna's lips parted, a whisper escaping before she could stop it. "I… don't know who to trust."
Her words fell into the silence like a spark to kindling.
Kael's shadows recoiled slightly, flickering like wounded smoke. Auren's eyes softened, but his grip on her shoulder tightened protectively.
The sanctuary's runes dimmed, settling back into silence, but the weight of the moment hung heavy.
Lianna's choice had not been made—but fate was circling closer, waiting.