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## Chapter Eight: Broken Trust: Aidan and Kael
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In the following days, the court's events escalated. The number of victims increased, this time from higher circles, causing terror and panic. **Aidan, the Knight of Light**, worked tirelessly. John noticed that Aidan was growing more exhausted, his eyes reflecting a mixture of despair and determination.
One night of "activity," while the **"Possessed Shadow"** carried out its "purge," John focused all his energy on observing what was happening. This time, he clearly saw how the "Shadow" targeted a group of nobles involved in human trafficking. The vision was clear, but it was painful. The "Possessed Shadow" was also in pain, as if its true instinct was struggling against the programming instilled by **Baron Vitus**.
When John regained consciousness, he found himself in a deserted alley, and just a few steps away, Aidan stood. Aidan wasn't alone; his hand gripped his gleaming sword, and his blue eyes stared intently at John.
"The Night Killer," Aidan said in a low, expressionless voice.
John hadn't anticipated this encounter. There was no escape. The "Possessed Shadow" couldn't save him this time; it was still recovering from its internal struggle.
"You're not just a monster, are you?" Aidan said, slowly approaching. "In that moment... that moment I saw fear in your eyes. You were in pain."
John was shocked. How did Aidan understand that?
"The ash you left behind," Aidan continued, raising a small leather pouch. "I analyzed it. It's not ordinary ash. It's remnants of dark energy. And another energy... isn't it human energy?"
John knew Aidan was on the verge of discovering the truth. He had no choice but to take the risk.
"Commander Aidan," John said, his voice trembling as he tried to suppress his fear. "It's not what it seems."
At that moment, Kael appeared, as if emerging from the shadows behind Aidan. Aidan glared at Kael suspiciously.
"Who are you?" Aidan asked, raising his sword towards him.
"My name is Kael," Kael said calmly, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "And I'm here to clarify a few things."
"Don't trust him, Commander!" shouted one of the guards who had just arrived. "This man is known for manipulation. We've seen him sneaking around the Academy!"
"Aidan," Kael said, ignoring the guard. "John is not 'the Night Killer' as you believe. He is a vessel for an ancient entity, the 'Possessed Shadow,' which has been corrupted by forces manipulating fate. This entity was a protector of the kingdom, but it is now a tool."
"And you believe this nonsense?" Aidan asked, his eyes narrowing as he alternated his gaze between John and Kael.
"I cannot prove it with words," Kael said. "But John can show you. He's starting to gain control over the 'Shadow.' He can stop it."
John felt encouraged by Kael's words. This was his only chance.
"Listen to me, Commander," John said. "I know who is behind all of this. Baron Vitus. He is the 'Inciter.' He is the one who manipulated the Shadow, and he's planning something much bigger."
Aidan's expression changed. The mention of Baron Vitus's name stirred something within him. Aidan knew the Baron was a suspicious figure, but he had no concrete evidence.
"Why should I trust either of you?" Aidan asked, his eyes narrowing further.
"Because you are the Knight of Light," Kael said. "And because you believe in justice. This is not an ordinary hunt. This is a struggle far greater than just a criminal killing in the night. It's a struggle for the soul of the kingdom."
At that moment, something unexpected happened. A flicker of dark energy erupted from John's body, and a low, indistinguishable sound echoed in his ears. The "Possessed Shadow" was in pain, screaming internally. This flicker was the same one Aidan had seen in his eyes, but this time it was clearer.
"Aidan," John said in a faint voice, "I need your help."
Aidan hesitated for a moment. Then, despite his guards' objections, he slowly lowered his sword. There was something in John's eyes, and in the faint blue flicker that emanated from his body, that made him feel there was a deeper truth behind all of this.
"Speak," Aidan said. "If you are telling the truth, we will work together. But if you lie... I will not hesitate to hunt you to the ends of the earth."
It was a crucial moment. John had broken a major barrier. He had earned the trust of the Knight of Light, at least for a while. But that trust was fragile, and the future of the kingdom depended on John's ability to prove his innocence and to expose Baron Vitus's wicked schemes before it was too late.