The night was heavy with tension, the air thick with an unshakable sense of dread. Storm clouds rolled in, blotting out the stars, and an unnatural silence stretched over the land like a predator waiting to strike.
Aria stood at the edge of the Evercrest estate, the wind whipping through her hair as she stared into the darkness. A storm was coming. Not one of nature—but one of blood, betrayal, and destiny.
They had barely begun to process everything Celeste had told them. The Harbinger. The breaking seals. The truth about Saraphine.
And now…
Now, they were out of time.
A flicker of movement caught her eye. Kael was beside her, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, his gaze scanning the horizon. He didn't speak, but he didn't have to. They both knew what was coming.
Inside, Lyric, Finn, Quinn, Celeste, Elion, and Elyra prepared as best they could. Celeste was still weak from her time in the Black Veil, barely standing, but Saraphine wouldn't wait for her to recover.
No, she would strike now—while they were vulnerable.
And she wouldn't come alone.
---
It started with the sky.
A crack of thunder split the heavens, and then—without warning—the attack began.
Shadowed warriors materialized at the edge of the estate, their eyes glowing silver. Ashar stood at the forefront, his silver mask gleaming beneath the stormy sky. Beside him, creatures of twisted magic slithered into existence, their bodies shifting like liquid darkness.
Saraphine had sent her army.
And she wasn't far behind.
A ripple of energy tore through the air as the temperature dropped. A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in deep indigo, her sapphire eyes glowing with something ancient, something wrong.
Saraphine Vale had arrived.
Her gaze swept across the battlefield, cold and unfeeling, until it landed on Celeste, standing just beyond the door, leaning against Elion for support.
Saraphine smiled. It was not a pleasant expression.
"Finally," she murmured. "No more running, old friend."
Celeste straightened, though the strain was clear on her face. "You've already lost, Saraphine. You just don't see it yet."
Saraphine tilted her head, amused. "You always were too hopeful, Celeste. That's why you failed before. And it's why you'll fail now."
Her gaze flicked to Aria.
"But your daughter is far more interesting. She doesn't share your blind optimism. She understands what's at stake."
Aria's grip on her pendant tightened, fire burning in her chest. "You don't know anything about me."
Saraphine's smile widened. "Don't I?"
And then she raised her hand.
The ground exploded.
Shadow and fire erupted in a shockwave of destruction, hurling Aria and the others back. The estate trembled under the sheer force of Saraphine's power.
The battle had begun.
---
Kael was the first to recover. He rolled to his feet, unsheathing his sword in a single motion. In the next instant, he was already moving, cutting through the nearest shadow warriors with brutal efficiency.
Finn was at Celeste's side, shielding her with a shimmering barrier of golden light. Elyra knelt beside them, her hands glowing as she poured what little healing magic she had left into Celeste's weakened form.
Lyric unleashed a wave of energy, striking down three attackers in one motion. Her eyes met Aria's, determination burning in them.
They couldn't let Saraphine get to Celeste.
"Quinn!" Aria called. "We need shadows on our side!"
Quinn hesitated. He had spent so long fearing the darkness, resisting its pull. But now—now, he had no choice.
With a sharp breath, he summoned his power. Shadows coiled around him, dark tendrils lashing out at their enemies. The shadow warriors faltered, confused by his presence.
And then, in the chaos, Saraphine moved.
In a blink, she was inside the house.
Elion drew his sword, stepping between her and Celeste, but Saraphine barely spared him a glance. A flick of her wrist sent him crashing into the far wall. Elyra barely had time to gasp before Saraphine turned her gaze on Celeste.
"You've lived too long already," she whispered.
She raised her hand—dark energy crackling at her fingertips—
And then she froze.
A new presence filled the room.
A pulse of familiar, chilling power swept through the air.
And standing in the doorway, shadowed by the storm, was Dorian.
---
Before anyone could react, a sharp cry of pain cut through the battlefield.
Aria turned just in time to see Kael drop to his knees, an enemy's blade buried deep in his side.
"No!" she screamed.
Blood dripped from the wound, staining his armor. He gasped, trying to push himself up, but his strength was already fading.
Finn was at his side in seconds, pressing glowing hands against the wound. "Stay with me, Kael," he muttered. "Just hold on!"
But Kael's face was pale, his breaths shallow.
And Ashar loomed over him, sword raised for the finishing blow.
Aria moved without thinking.
She lunged, intercepting the attack just in time. Steel met steel, the impact sending sparks flying.
But Ashar was stronger.
The force of his blow sent her skidding back, barely keeping her footing.
He sneered. "You should have let him die."
Aria's rage ignited like wildfire. "I'll never let you take him!"
Ashar just laughed—and struck again.
---
Inside the house, Dorian remained motionless, his golden eyes locked on Saraphine.
"Dorian," she murmured.
He didn't respond. His dark cloak billowed, shadows curling around his fingers like living things.
"Step away from her."
Saraphine arched a brow. "And if I don't?"
His voice was like ice. "Then I will make you."
A silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant rumble of thunder.
And then Saraphine laughed.
It was not amusement. It was bitter. Sharp. Almost… disappointed.
"You truly are your mother's son," she said softly.
Dorian's jaw tightened, but he didn't falter.
"You always said I had to choose a side," he said. "I have."
He stepped forward, placing himself between Saraphine and Celeste.
And just like that—the balance shifted.
Saraphine's expression darkened. "You're making a mistake."
"Maybe." Dorian's fingers curled around his sword. "But it's mine to make."
A flash of fury crossed her face.
"Then you are no longer my concern," she snapped.
And in a blur of movement, she struck.
Dorian barely had time to react before a surge of dark energy slammed into him, sending him crashing through the door and out into the storm.
Aria's scream barely left her lips before Saraphine vanished into the night.
The battle wasn't over.
Kael was still bleeding out.
And when Dorian opened his eyes—
They weren't golden anymore.
They were black.
Something had changed.
And none of them knew if it was for the better.