Bound By The Ashes

Chapter 7: The Burden of Living Forever

Drakon stood motionless, like a dark statue cut from solid stone. His face was hard to read, and he was dangerously beautiful. He wore a black suit that fit perfectly, as if it was made from shadows. His jet-black hair was smoothly slicked back, and eyes that shifted colour ,sometimes they were dark grey, other times a smoky red. His jawline was sharp and defined, hinting at immense strength and presence.

The room was large and cold. Every time Drakon moved, even slightly, the air seemed to get heavier. l struggled to breathe properly under the pressure. Drakon’s power rolled off him like waves from a storm, and my instincts told me to flee or kneel before him. But l stood my ground, jaw clenched and fingers twitching at my sides.

"You survived," he finally said. His voice was deep and smooth, but every word carried a serious weight, like a final judgment.

l blinked and replied, "Barely."

Drakon gave a small smile. “Most people don’t. They scream, drop their weapon, and die before their last breath. Husk demons seem weak, but if you drop the blade, it’s all over.”

He walked around me slowly, examining me like a curious object. My skin tingled with his energy, like standing too close to a fire or being caught in a violent storm.

"You impressed me," he said. "The first hunt is meant to break you, not only your body but also your spirit." He touched his temple, then his chest.

l stayed silent. l wanted to speak but wasn’t sure my voice would cooperate.

“You are what we call 'immortalish',” Drakon said with a hint of humour. “You will age until you are twenty-five. Then it stops," he said whilst holding my blade that had appeared in his hand.

l took the blade carefully, feeling its familiar grip. It seemed almost alive in my hand, pulsing faintly.

“That weapon is made from a stone called Nytherium, found deep in the my land. It can kill anything, even you, but not me.”

l swallowed hard.

“The more you hunt,” Drakon continued, “the stronger you become. You’ll notice it in your body and senses. Your bond with the blade will grow. Those who do well become legends. Those who hesitate... they die, quickly and brutally.”

He turned to look out of a massive window. Below was a more of the castle that looked like a dark maze of stone and flickering lights. “You could stay here,” he said. “Live in the castle and train with others like you. Many of your kind are here. You would have food, safety, and power beyond your dreams.”

The offer was tempting, almost too tempting. A part of me, worn out and tired, wanted to say yes. But another part, stronger and clearer, said no.

“I can’t,” l said, her voice firm yet exhausted. “My sister needs me.”

Drakon didn’t turn to face me. “You already sold your soul for her. What more can you give?”

“I’ll give everything,” l replied, “until she doesn’t need me anymore.”

Drakon finally looked over his shoulder at me, with an expression l couldn’t read—was it respect, amusement, or pity?

“Then go,” he said. “But remember, using that blade brings you closer to becoming something this world doesn’t understand. Eventually, you’ll have to choose which world you belong to.”

l gripped the blade tighter, its cold weight solid in my hand. l didn’t respond because there was nothing more to say.

l turned and walked away, my boots echoing on the stone floor. Behind me, l could feel Drakon watching me in silence, like the devil.