Kael's heartbeat thundered in his ears.
The man seated before him was not a vision. Not a fading memory.
Ashur was real.
His golden eyes gleamed like fire beneath the throne's flickering torches. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, a slow smirk curling his lips.
"Kael." His voice was rich, commanding. Unmistakably familiar.
Kael swallowed hard. "You know my name."
Ashur chuckled, the sound echoing through the vast temple. "Of course. You are me."
The words sent a shiver down Kael's spine.
"I am not you," Kael said through gritted teeth.
Ashur tilted his head. "No?" He gestured toward the black mark on Kael's wrist. "Then why do you carry my brand?"
Kael glanced down at the pulsing symbol.
It had not faded. It had not weakened.
It was a tether.
A chain.
Ashur stood, his movements fluid, effortless. He descended the steps of the throne, stopping mere feet from Kael.
The air between them crackled.
"Tell me," Ashur said, his voice a whisper of power. "Do you truly believe you were reborn without purpose?"
Kael clenched his fists. "I make my own purpose."
Ashur smiled. "Ah… a noble lie."
Kael's breath hitched as Ashur raised a hand—and Kael's body refused to move.
A pressure wrapped around him, not painful, but absolute.
Ashur's golden eyes glowed. "Fate has already set your path, Kael. You will walk it, whether you will it or not."
Kael fought against the invisible force, his muscles straining. No.
He would not be controlled.
He would not become a puppet of destiny.
With a roar, he forced himself forward, breaking free from Ashur's hold.
A spark of surprise flickered in Ashur's gaze.
Then—approval.
"You still resist. Good." Ashur turned, retreating toward the throne. "Then let us see… how long you last."
The world fractured.
And Kael was falling.
---
The Return to Reality
Kael's eyes snapped open.
The ruins surrounded him once more—silent, untouched.
Liora was at his side, gripping his shoulders. "Kael! Are you alright? You just—" She hesitated. "You vanished."
Kael exhaled, still feeling the weight of Ashur's words.
He looked down at his wrist.
The mark remained.
The chains of fate were still wrapped around him.
But he had broken free once.
He could do it again.
Liora studied his expression. "You saw something, didn't you?"
Kael met her gaze.
"I saw him."
Liora stiffened. "Him?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Ashur."