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Nightfall – Edges of Mortalis
The sixth fragment pulsed within Kael's satchel as he and Elira rode down the fog-veiled slopes of Eirwell. Stars shimmered above — but the sky felt too still, as if holding its breath.
Kael hadn't spoken since the Mirrorborn's final words.
Elira finally broke the silence. "You're not him, Kael. You never were."
He looked at her, shadows under his eyes. "But I was close. I looked into that thing's eyes and saw… how easy it would've been."
"Then be glad you chose not to," she said firmly. "We are not our darkest thoughts."
Kael gave a weary nod — then pulled the reins.
A figure waited in the road ahead.
White cloak. Raven hair. And a sword too familiar.
Lyra Hale.
Elira's breath caught. "Kael—"
"I see her."
Lyra didn't flinch. "Still alive, I see."
Kael dismounted. "If you're here to finish what you started, don't wait."
But Lyra didn't attack. Instead, she placed the sword in the dirt before her. "I'm not here to fight."
Elira narrowed her eyes. "Then what?"
Lyra's gaze never left Kael. "I came to return something that was yours."
The blade — Solmourn, the sword of Kael's father, lost the day his family was burned.
Kael stepped closer, hands trembling. "Where did you get this?"
"I took it," Lyra admitted. "The day Lucien burned your home… I was already with him. I didn't stop him. But I couldn't let this be lost."
"You were there?" he whispered, voice breaking.
"I was always there, Kael. Even when you thought I wasn't. Even when I chose wrong." Her voice cracked. "This won't undo what I did. But it's all I have left to give."
Kael stared at the sword, then at the woman he once loved.
"I don't want your redemption," he said coldly. "But I will take what's mine."
He pulled Solmourn from the dirt — and turned away.
---
Elsewhere – Lucien and the Rift Council
In the shattered sanctum of Myrveil, Lucien Drax stood before a circle of floating obsidian thrones. Shadows moved like whispers across the air — the Rift Council had gathered.
"The Mirrorborn failed," one intoned.
Lucien sneered. "It served its purpose. Kael's doubt deepens. And now… Lyra has delivered the sword."
Another figure hissed, "She is unstable. Sentimental."
"And still loyal," Lucien replied. "She knows what's at stake."
The largest shade loomed forward. "Then the time has come."
Lucien smiled. "Yes. Release the Seventh Gate."
The chamber trembled.
---
Varielle – Auren & Nerina
Beneath lantern-lit trees, Auren limped beside Nerina through a winding trail.
"You never said why you left the knightdom," he said casually.
Nerina scoffed. "You never asked."
"I'm asking now."
She paused. "Because I believed in the wrong cause. Served a king who let innocents die. I broke my oath and they exiled me."
Auren nodded. "Good. Then we both know what it's like to be betrayed by the ones we trusted."
They stopped at an old watchtower, now their hideout.
As Nerina turned to speak, Auren reached out, brushing a leaf from her hair — but her hand caught his wrist.
"You keep trying to flirt with me," she said, voice low.
"Only because it's working."
They stared at each other.
Then, unexpectedly — she kissed him.
Only briefly. Only once.
Then she pulled back, eyes unreadable. "That didn't mean anything."
"Of course," Auren said, dazed. "It absolutely meant nothing."
And they both silently knew that was a lie.
---
Back to Kael & Elira – The Whispering Vale
That night, Kael sat alone with Solmourn across his lap. The metal was cold, but it pulsed faintly — as if remembering him.
Elira joined him. "You okay?"
He shook his head. "No. But I will be."
She sat beside him. "I know this road is full of ghosts. I just… want you to know I'm not walking away."
Kael turned to her.
He placed the sword down and gently held her hand. "You said once you weren't a weapon."
"I'm not," she whispered.
"Then let me be your shield."
She kissed him — this time not as a promise, but as something real.
---
Final Scene – Lyra Alone
Back atop the mountain, Lyra stood watching the stars. The spot where she returned the blade still glowed faintly.
From her cloak, she pulled out a crystal — the Seventh Fragment — and whispered, "He didn't see it."
Lucien's voice echoed from within the crystal.
> "You played your part well."
Lyra closed her eyes, pain across her face. "I wish I hadn't."
Then, as the stars dimmed, the sky cracked — a seam of pure darkness ripping open far in the north.
The Rift… had awakened.
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