Kael’s breath steamed in the hallaway as he squared his shoulders, facing Master Harond. The old mage’s eyes, once filled with the gentleness of a teacher, now glimmered with steel beneath his hood.
“I don’t want to fight you,” Harond said quietly. “But I will if I must.”
Kael clenched his fists, power pulsing beneath his skin like a second heartbeat. “You always told me the Hakana chooses its bearer. So why deny me now?”
“Because the Hakana didn’t just choose you,” Harond replied, stepping forward, “it consumed you. I trained you and even shield you before Dareth could get to you. And now what? You want to throw it all away for what?"
Kael’s voice rose. “No. You don’t get to twist this! I didn’t ask for this. Dareth murdered my father and no one lifted a finger. Now I take one step to
