Forged in shadow

Chapter 4

Renn's usually cheerful face was now etched with anger as he grabbed Kael by the shoulders, stopping him mid-stride.

"What is there to think about, Kael?" Renn demanded, his voice tinged with frustration. "You've already made up your mind, haven't you?"

Kael met his friend's intense gaze with a stoic expression, his silence speaking volumes.

"You're really considering this marriage proposal?" Renn continued, his tone incredulous. "To a shadow wielder, no less?"

Kael and Renn stood face to face, their expressions locked in a silent battle of wills. Renn's brow furrowed in disbelief as Kael spoke with an intensity that matched the flickering torchlight around them.

"I sense great power in her, Renn," Kael argued, his voice tinged with determination. "Lilith could be a formidable asset in our war against the shadows. This isn't just about peace—it's about gaining the upper hand."

Renn's gaze hardened, his skepticism evident. "So, what? You're willing to sacrifice everything for power?"

"It's not just power," Kael replied sharply. "It's strategy. We need every advantage we can get."

"What will our allies think of this matter?" Renn asked pointedly, his gaze on Kael. "We've fought alongside them against the shadows for years. Now they'll see Eldoria falling under the manipulations of the shadow realms?"

Kael's jaw tightened, his eyes flaring with determination. "Our allies will understand the necessity of this alliance," he asserted, his tone unwavering. "Varathia has already succumbed to the shadows. If we are to stand any chance against them, we must forge alliances that offer us strength and strategic advantage."

Renn's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and frustration. "But at what cost, Kael? We've seen what these shadow wielders are capable of."

Kael's jaw tensed, his resolve unyielding. "I'm not naïve, Renn. I know the risks. But if this marriage alliance can help us turn the tide..."

Renn shook his head, his voice laced with disappointment. "I thought you were different, Kael. I thought you fought for something more than just conquest."

Kael's gaze hardened, his eyes flashing with a hint of defiance. "I fight for our people, Renn. I fight for our survival."

Renn's concern deepened as he looked into Kael's eyes, searching for a sign of hesitation. "She could blind you, Kael," Renn insisted, his voice filled with urgency. "Make you forget what your purpose is."

Kael's response was laced with cockiness, a trademark of his unwavering confidence. "I'm not so easily swayed, Renn," he retorted, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "I know what I'm doing."

Renn shook his head, his expression pained. "You've always been reckless, Kael. But this? Marrying into the shadows?"

"It's a calculated risk," Kael shot back, his tone defiant. "She's not like the others. I can sense it."

Renn's frustration was palpable. "You can't sense everything, Kael. This isn't just about strategy—it's about our principles."

Kael's gaze hardened, his confidence unshaken. "Our principles won't protect us from the shadows, Renn. We need strength, and Lilith could be the key."

"You think I fear the shadows, Renn?" Kael retorted, a smirk dancing on his lips. "I play with them at my side already."

Renn's expression darkened, his concern deepening. "This is different, Kael. You know that."

Kael's gaze held steady, unwavering. "I know exactly what I'm doing, Renn. We're at war, and I'll use every advantage I can get."

Renn's frustration was evident. "Even if it means becoming one of them?"