Chapter 20: The Calm Before theTempest
839 Words
A Fractured Victory
Lior and the others returned to Drakos Keep just before dawn, their bodies exhausted but their minds alert. The raid had been successful—many of Varos’ siege weapons were destroyed, and his supply lines were in chaos.
But it wasn’t enough.
Lior had come face-to-face with Varos. And the warlord had barely tried.
As Lior stood at the edge of the fortress walls, staring out into the distant sky, Kaela approached.
“You’ve been standing here for an hour,” she said softly.
Lior didn’t turn. “I keep thinking about what happened back there.”
Kaela exhaled. “You mean when Varos nearly crushed you?”
Lior clenched his fists. “He wasn’t even serious. He could have killed me if he wanted to.”
Kaela studied him. She had seen this before—doubt creeping in.
“You faced him and lived,” she reminded him. “That’s more than most people can say.”
Lior shook his head. “That’s not good enough. Next time, I need to win.”
Kaela hesitated. “You’re not planning something reckless, are you?”
He finally turned to her, his golden eyes burning. “We’re out of time, Kaela. When Varos arrives, we need to be ready. No matter what it takes.”
Kaela frowned but didn’t press further. She knew that look. Lior had already made up his mind.
She just hoped it wouldn’t break him.
---
The Council Gathers
Later that morning, the war council convened in the main hall. A large map of the battlefield lay across the table, marking enemy movements and key defense points.
Renar crossed his arms. “We bought ourselves some time with that raid, but it won’t stop Varos. He’ll be here in two days.”
Elyndra, the High Seer, nodded gravely. “His forces still outnumber us significantly. Our strongest warriors may hold the gates, but his magic could tear through our defenses.”
Kaela leaned forward. “So what’s the plan? We can’t exactly run.”
Lior placed both hands on the table. “We fight smart. We use every advantage we have.”
Renar nodded. “The fortress is built into the cliffs. If we can force his army through the narrow passes, we might be able to hold them back.”
Elyndra added, “And the Celestian adepts will reinforce the outer defenses with celestial barriers.”
Kaela smirked. “And I’ll make sure our assassins take out as many officers as possible before the battle even starts.”
Lior looked around the table. It was a good plan. But something still didn’t sit right.
Varos wouldn’t just march in and fight like any other warlord. He was a being of pure darkness. He had power that went beyond mortal warfare.
Lior had to be ready for him.
No matter what.
---
Lior’s Gamble
That night, Lior made his way to the Celestial Chamber—a hidden sanctuary within the keep where the strongest warriors once meditated.
Elyndra found him there, sitting in deep concentration.
“You seek power,” she said knowingly.
Lior opened his eyes. “I need to be stronger.”
Elyndra studied him carefully. “The power you wield already surpasses most. But you fear it is not enough.”
Lior exhaled. “Varos isn’t just a warrior. He’s something else. If I can’t match him, I’ll lose.”
Elyndra hesitated. Then she knelt beside him. “There is a way.”
Lior’s gaze sharpened. “Tell me.”
She hesitated. “It is dangerous.”
“I don’t care.”
Elyndra sighed. “Very well. There is an ancient technique—one that draws upon both light and shadow. It could give you the power you seek… but it could also consume you.”
Lior’s jaw tightened. “Teach me.”
Elyndra nodded slowly. “Then we begin at dawn.”
---
Kaela’s Fear
Kaela watched from afar.
She had seen the way Lior carried himself—the weight on his shoulders, the fire in his eyes. He was changing.
And she was terrified.
Later that night, she found him outside, gazing at the stars.
“Are you really going through with this?” she asked.
Lior didn’t look at her. “I don’t have a choice.”
She stepped closer. “You always have a choice.”
Finally, he turned. “Kaela, if I don’t do this, I won’t be strong enough to stop him.”
Her throat tightened. “What if you lose yourself?”
Lior hesitated. “Then you’ll bring me back.”
Kaela’s heart clenched.
She didn’t want to bring him back. She wanted him to stay.
Before she could stop herself, she reached up and cupped his face. “Lior, promise me—no matter what happens, you come back.”
His golden eyes softened.
“I promise.”
She wasn’t sure if he meant it.
But she needed to believe.
The storm was coming.
And by this time tomorrow, everything would change.
- Writer
