LEGENDS OF ELDORIA

CHAPTER 24

It had been a long, grueling week since Kai disappeared into the darkness. The air in the Citadel was thick with tension, a palpable unease that seemed to hang over every conversation, every movement. The once-bustling halls felt emptier, quieter, as if the life had been sucked out of them, leaving only shadows and whispers behind. People were talking, speculating, wondering where Kai could have gone, or worse, what he had become.

The search efforts had been relentless. Every scout, every military soldier, every available hand had been sent out, combing through forests, mountains, and every inch of the surrounding lands. But no trace of Kai could be found. No footprints, no sightings, no rumors. He had vanished as if the earth itself had swallowed him whole. And with each passing day, hope seemed to dwindle, replaced by a growing fear of the unknown.

Today, the Citadel was quieter than usual, though the tension in the air was palpable. A meeting had been called—an important one. In the great hall, the highest-ranking officers, scouts, and military commanders were gathering. The time had come to make a decision about Kai, and it was a decision that weighed heavily on everyone's mind.

Master Azar stood at the head of the room, his face drawn tight with concern, his eyes scanning the room with a grave intensity. Thorne and Damaris, the tutors from Class A and B, stood by his side, their expressions equally somber. There were no easy answers here, no simple solutions. Kai had been one of their brightest, one of their strongest. But now... now he was a question mark, an enigma shrouded in danger and uncertainty.

The students of Class A and B had been gathered as well, seated toward the back of the hall. The atmosphere was heavy, suffocating. No one spoke, but their faces told stories of their own—fear, confusion, guilt. Zariel sat in silence, his bandaged body stiff, his face a mask of unreadable emotions. Elara, still pale from the events of that night, glanced anxiously around, her eyes darting toward the door as if she hoped Kai might just walk through it any moment. But deep down, they all knew that wasn't going to happen.

Azar cleared his throat, and the murmurings of the crowd fell silent. All eyes turned toward him, waiting. He took a deep breath before he began to speak.

"We have searched tirelessly for Kai," he said, his voice carrying a weight that made everyone sit a little straighter. "Every lead, every rumor has been investigated, but as of now, we have found no sign of him."

There was a murmur among the gathered soldiers and scouts, but Azar raised a hand, silencing them again.

"As of today, we must make a difficult decision." His eyes scanned the crowd, meeting each one with the weight of his words. "We must decide whether to continue the search, or... to officially declare Kai a rogue."

The word "rogue" sent a chill through the room. It hung in the air like a death sentence, one that no one wanted to say out loud but could feel creeping up on them. The idea that Kai, once a loyal student of the Citadel, could now be considered an enemy was almost too much to bear.

Zariel clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his chest. A rogue. The very thought of it made him sick. He knew Kai—knew his strength, his loyalty, his heart. This wasn't who Kai was. But what if... what if he couldn't come back from whatever darkness had consumed him?

Elara's eyes were wide, glistening with unshed tears as she stared at the floor. She couldn't believe it. She wouldn't believe it. Kai wasn't a rogue. He was lost, hurt, confused, but not a traitor. Not a danger. Her heart ached with the weight of all the words she wished she could say, but there was no way to stop what was coming.

Thorne, his arms crossed over his chest, shifted uncomfortably. Even he, usually so stoic and composed, looked troubled. Damaris stood beside him, her usual sharpness dulled by the gravity of the situation.