Weeks passed.
Eray's life split in two between the marble floors of the palace and the muddy ground of the Crimson Forest.
During the day, he was a silent slave standing at Velira's door, refilling her wine.But twice a week, when they entered the forest, the collar was removed. This slowed his plans, but training in a land with 400% Ether density was changing him permanently.
Velira was training Eray as a "hunter."Or rather, she was using skills he already had for her own pleasure.Together, they hunted Wyvern hatchlings, Armored Bears, and Shadow Panthers.
Each time, Eray obeyed.Even when he had chances, he did not run.Brick by brick, he built Velira's trust.
And then the day came.
"Today is different," Velira said as they entered the deepest part of the forest, the Twilight Zone, where even sunlight could not reach.
The air was colder here. No birds. Only a heavy, metallic silence.
"Today, we are not hunters, Eray," Velira said as she dismounted. Her silver armor shone faintly."Today, we will dance with an Ether Eater. A monster even my father's legions fear."
Eray felt a chill run through him.An Ether Eater was an ancient creature that absorbed magic and left mages helpless.
"Will you remove my collar?" Eray asked.
Velira looked at him.The old contempt was gone. In its place was something like… partnership.
"I will," she said. "But this time, don't stay behind me. Fight beside me. If that thing swallows me, it won't leave you alive either."
Click.
The collar opened.Eray wrapped himself in the Shadow.
_ _ _
The creature was as large as a hill.It had no skin, only obsidian rock and pure darkness, six-legged, blind, and filled with countless teeth.
When the battle began, Eray saw true power for the first time.
Velira was not just a "spoiled mage."She was a battle sorceress.
When the monster roared and spat acid at them, Velira raised her hand.
"Freeze."
The moisture in the air froze instantly.The acid crystallized midair and fell harmlessly.
Velira drew her sword. It ignited with pure silver flame.
She flew toward the creature like a storm of silver.Her speed was beyond Eray's eyes.With every strike, black blood sprayed. With every magical burst, the forest shook.
Below, Eray attacked the creature's legs, using shadow spears to break its balance.
But Velira…She was beautiful, deadly, and terrifying.
For a moment, Eray stopped and watched her.
If she is my enemy, he thought, an army won't be enough.
Then the Ether Eater made a clever move.
Velira leapt into the air for the final strike, pouring all her power into her blade.Her defense dropped to zero.
The creature's rear limb—mistaken for a tail but actually a second mouth—rose silently from the ground.
Behind Velira.In her blind spot.
Time slowed.
Eray saw it.
His mind split.
Let her die. If she dies, the collar is gone forever. You can escape.
The thought lasted less than a second.
His body decided before his mind.
Eray poured all his shadow power into his legs and launched himself like an arrow.
"WATCH OUT!"
He crashed into Velira midair.
They were thrown aside as the monster's massive jaws snapped shut where Velira's head had been.The bite missed, but the spiked limb tore across Eray's back and slammed them both into the rocks.
Velira rolled across the ground, stunned.For the first time in battle, she had lost focus.
She looked up and saw Eray covering her, shielding her from the fall.
And she saw the second mouth bite the empty air where she had been.
Velira's eyes burned.
Not at Eray.At the monster.
She stood and spread her arms.
"ERASED."
A massive silver spear fell from the sky.Not magic, but pure will given form.
It split the creature in two and buried it deep into the earth.
When silence returned, only Eray's rough breathing and the smell of burned flesh remained.
Velira turned to Eray lying on the ground.For a brief moment, she thought she had found more than a slave. Perhaps a companion.
But she saw the regret on Eray's face.And the expression on her own face faded.
_ _ _
Night fell.
It was too late to return to the capital, and their mounts were gone.They took shelter in a small cave in the Twilight Zone.
They sat by a fire.
Eray's back was deeply wounded where the creature's spike had cut him. His shirt was soaked in blood.
Velira rose quietly and approached him.
"Turn around," she said. Her voice was tired, not commanding.
Eray obeyed.
Velira placed her hands on the wound, glowing with healing magic.This time it wasn't painful or rough. It was gentle, careful, almost tender.
"Why?" Velira asked.
"Why what?"
"You could have let me die. You would be free. Why did you step in?"
Eray stared into the fire.
"A reflex," he said honestly."I don't know why I did it… I just—"
He stopped.
"We were on the same side."
Velira's hand tightened slightly on his shoulder.
"Just a reflex?"
She moved in front of him and looked into his face.In her blue eyes, fire burned beneath the ice.
"You are different, Eray," she said."My other slaves would pray for my death. Other soldiers would freeze in fear. But you… you threw yourself in front of death for me."
She touched his cheek gently. Then her fingers brushed his lips.
"Maybe," she whispered, "you are not just property. Maybe you are the only one who could stand as my equal."
Eray looked into her eyes.He saw her loneliness. Her desire to be understood beneath the pride.
If he kissed her now…If he swore loyalty…She would burn the world for him.
The thought twisted his stomach.
Because he wanted to destroy her.
Velira leaned in. For a brief moment, their lips touched.
Eray pulled back.
"I am your sword, my Princess," he said quietly, avoiding her gaze."A sword protects its owner."
Velira smiled faintly. A sad smile.
"So be it," she said, retreating to the other side of the fire."Sleep. Tomorrow, we return to the palace."
Eray stood guard at the cave entrance, watching Velira sleep.She was defenseless.
His hand moved to his blade.
I can do it now, he thought. End everything.
But he didn't.
Not only because of strategy.But because he could not yet betray the woman who had watched his back today.
If he struck her like this, he would never forgive himself.