The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery light over the forest as the group made their way through the dense trees. The night was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. It should have been peaceful after the chaos of the past few hours, but Eryk couldn’t shake the unease that gnawed at him. Velkor might be defeated, but his words echoed in Eryk’s mind like a dark prophecy.

The magic will consume you. It will always hunger for more.

Eryk glanced over at Kael, whose eyes were narrowed, scanning their surroundings with the sharp focus of a seasoned warrior. Even though Kael had fought beside him through countless dangers, even now, as they walked toward the relative safety of the kingdom’s borders, Eryk could feel the tension between them. He couldn’t ignore the unease that lingered in the air.

“Kael…” Eryk began softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kael turned his head, meeting his gaze. His expression was unreadable, though there was a subtle hardness in his eyes, as if he, too, was holding something back. “What is it?”

Eryk hesitated. He had so many questions swirling in his mind, but one stood out more than the rest. “Do you ever wonder… if Velkor was right?”

Kael’s brows furrowed slightly. “About what?”

Eryk took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “About the magic. About me.”

The silence between them stretched as Kael processed his words. Eryk knew the weight of what he was asking—he was essentially asking Kael to confront the darker side of him. But Kael was no stranger to danger, no stranger to the struggle of living with power. If there was anyone who might understand, it was him.

Kael slowed his pace, his boots crunching softly on the forest floor. “Eryk, the magic inside you is part of who you are. You’ve learned to control it. You are controlling it. That’s all that matters.”

Eryk frowned, his heart still heavy with doubt. “But what if it’s too much? What if I can’t control it forever? What if… what if I become like him? Like Velkor?”

Kael stopped walking, turning to face him fully. His eyes were filled with the steadiness Eryk had come to rely on. “You won’t. Because you choose to be different. Velkor was consumed by his ambition, by his hunger for power. But you…” Kael’s voice softened. “You have something he never did. You have people who care about you. You have a heart, Eryk. And that makes all the difference.”

Eryk looked down at the ground, trying to keep his emotions in check. Kael’s words should have been comforting, but they only served to remind him of the growing pressure that weighed on him. He didn’t just have Kael to think about. He had the kingdom, the people, his family, and now the power that was his birthright. All of it felt like too much to carry.

“I wish I could believe that,” Eryk muttered. “But sometimes I wonder if I’m destined for the same fate as Velkor. We both have the same blood running through our veins.”

Kael stepped closer, his presence a grounding force. “Eryk, that blood doesn’t define you. Your choices do. Your choices. Don’t let anyone, not even Velkor, make you believe you’re bound to his path.”

Eryk’s eyes met Kael’s, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. The tension that had built between them, the worry and fear, seemed to melt away in the warmth of Kael’s unwavering gaze. He felt like he could breathe again.

“I don’t want to become like him,” Eryk said quietly. “I don’t want to lose myself. But I don’t know how to stop it.”

Kael reached out, his hand resting gently on Eryk’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do it alone. You have me. You always will.”

Eryk exhaled, his heart pounding in his chest, but this time, it wasn’t out of fear. It was from the comfort of knowing he wasn’t alone in this. Kael had been there for him when the world had seemed too dark, when his magic had threatened to consume him. And now, Kael was still there, unwavering and strong.

“Thank you,” Eryk whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Kael’s lips curled into a small smile, a hint of warmth in his eyes. “You’ll never have to find out.”

Before Eryk could respond, a distant howl echoed through the forest. The sound was unmistakable, both haunting and familiar. It was the call of the Alpha wolf—the very same wolf they had fought only hours before.

Eryk’s hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword. “What the hell—?”

Kael’s eyes hardened, his hand already moving to the dagger at his belt. “It’s not over. Velkor may be gone, but the wolves are still a threat. They’ll want revenge.”

Eryk nodded, his senses sharpening. The howl was a signal, and it was too close. They couldn’t afford to waste time.

“Get ready,” Kael murmured. “This is only the beginning.”

They continued on through the forest, their pace quickening. Eryk could feel the tension in the air, a palpable force pressing down on them as they neared the source of the howling. The forest seemed alive with anticipation, the trees whispering with the wind, the shadows growing darker with every step.

As they neared the clearing, Eryk’s heart pounded in his chest, the power within him thrumming with urgency. He could feel the wolves drawing closer, their eyes upon them, the hunt just beginning.

Eryk’s hand tightened around his sword, but as he looked at Kael—standing beside him, resolute and calm—he felt the first spark of confidence ignite in his chest.

No matter what came next, they would face it together.

And for the first time, Eryk felt like he had the strength to overcome whatever the future held.

The clearing was just ahead, bathed in the pale moonlight. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the distant rustle of leaves told Eryk that they weren’t alone. He could feel the wolves’ presence, creeping closer, the pack closing in like a shadow.

Kael’s voice was low, urgent. “Stay sharp. They’ll be on us any moment.”

Eryk’s senses heightened as they emerged into the clearing. The wolves—dark, massive creatures—stalked the edge of the trees, their glowing eyes fixed on the two of them. There was no sign of Velkor, but the tension was unmistakable. The Alpha wolf’s howl had been a rallying cry. The battle wasn’t over yet.

And this time, Eryk wasn’t sure he could keep control.