The Shattered Veil

The cavern trembled beneath the force of their battle, dust, and debris cascading from the ancient stone walls. Ronan’s golden aura burned like a sun, raw energy crackling in the air around him. Nyx stood opposite, their dark power twisting and writhing like living shadows.

The entire battlefield had become a storm of light and darkness.

Lyria forced herself to stand, the impact of Ronan’s clash with Nyx nearly knocking her off balance. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She had seen Ronan fight before, had felt the weight of his presence—but this? This was something else entirely.

The moment Nyx had pushed him, something within him had unlocked.

And now, even Nyx—the opponent who had been toying with them moments ago—was no longer smirking.

Ronan exhaled, his breath misting in the frigid air. “Done playing?”

Nyx tilted their head, their sharp crimson eyes studying him with newfound interest. “Fascinating.” A chuckle slipped past their lips. “You were always meant to be a monster, weren’t you?”

Ronan didn’t reply. He vanished from sight—

—and reappeared behind Nyx, his sword slashing in a golden arc.

Nyx barely dodged in time, twisting their body unnaturally as the blade carved through the air where their neck had been. They countered instantly, a spear of pure darkness lancing toward Ronan’s ribs.

He deflected it with the back of his gauntlet, the force sending cracks splintering across the cavern floor.

Lyria could hardly keep up. The speed, the sheer precision—it was inhuman.

Nyx flickered, appearing above Ronan in an instant. “Not bad.” Their palm extended downward, a concentrated mass of void energy forming in their hand. “But let’s see how far you can—”

A blinding shockwave erupted from Ronan before they could finish.

Nyx was sent flying back, crashing through a crumbling pillar and disappearing into the debris.

The cavern went silent, save for the sound of shifting rubble.

Ronan rolled his shoulders, his golden eyes glowing with an almost ethereal light. “You talk too much.”

Lyria swallowed. This was no longer the Ronan she had first met. His presence filled the space like a force of nature, untamed and absolute. Even the shadows on the walls seemed to recoil from his radiance.

Then—

A low, amused chuckle.

From the rubble, Nyx emerged. Their robe was torn, blood trickling from a cut on their cheek. But instead of anger, their face was split with a wide, delighted grin.

“Oh, this is good.” They wiped the blood from their cheek with the back of their hand. “You weren’t supposed to awaken yet. I was going to enjoy breaking you bit by bit.”

Ronan took a slow step forward. “You won’t get the chance.”

Nyx let out a breathless laugh. “You think you’re ready to face what’s coming?” They tilted their head. “You feel powerful now, don’t you?” Their eyes gleamed with dark amusement. “But power alone won’t be enough to stop him.”

Ronan stilled.

Lyria frowned. “Stop who?”

Nyx’s smile widened. “Ah. He hasn’t told you, has he?” They turned their gaze back to Ronan. “Poor thing. You think you’ve broken free, but you’re still dancing in his palm.”

Ronan’s jaw clenched. “Enough.”

For the first time, there was something dangerous in his voice. Something that sent a chill racing down Lyria’s spine.

Nyx sighed dramatically. “Alright, alright. I’ll let you have your little moment.” They raised their hands in mock surrender. “But tell me, Ronan—what happens when the past you buried finally catches up?”

A pulse of darkness rippled outward, swallowing Nyx in a swirl of shadow—

And just like that, they were gone.

Lyria sucked in a sharp breath. “They escaped.”

Ronan lowered his sword. “For now.”

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words. Lyria studied him carefully—the way his aura was still blazing, the way his fingers were curled into a tight fist.

She hesitated before speaking. “What did they mean?”

Ronan didn’t answer immediately. When he did, his voice was quiet. “We need to leave.”

That wasn’t an answer.

But Lyria knew better than to push.

She let out a slow exhale, sheathing her blade. “Fine. But you owe me an explanation.”

Ronan glanced at her, his golden eyes unreadable. “Later.”

Before she could argue, the ground beneath them shook.

A deep, guttural rumble filled the cavern, sending dust and loose rocks cascading from the ceiling. Lyria’s breath hitched. “What now?”

Then—

The shadows moved.

A monstrous roar echoed through the cavern as the ground split apart, an enormous shape rising from the darkness below. Massive claws scraped against the stone, eyes like molten fire piercing through the gloom.

Lyria felt her stomach drop. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

A beast—ancient and terrible—had awakened.

Ronan tightened his grip on his sword. His expression was grim. “Run.”