Priest's POV – Inside the Library
I slammed the last ancient tome shut, the weight of the truth twisting in my gut. I sensed it too—seconds before the doors burst open.
The air grew heavy, like gravity itself had been doubled.
The second shadow knight stood in the doorway, sword sheathed in a sheath made of bone and black metal. His helm had no eyes—just a mouth filled with rows of needle-sharp teeth. But I could feel his gaze.
"You've come earlier than expected," I muttered, standing from the desk, the faint red sigils already glowing around my palms.
"No matter how far you run, priest," the knight hissed, his voice like oil over flame, "your faith won't save you."
I didn't reply.
With a flick of my hands, blood and light erupted into the chamber. The books soared into the air, forming a protective circle. I stepped out into the stone hall, cloak fluttering behind me, staff in one hand, a curved dagger in the other.
He charged.
I dodged the first strike, the blade carving into the wall behind me. Dust and stone exploded outward. I spun and slashed upward with my dagger, carving a glowing rune into his armor.
The knight growled and retaliated. His blade moved like shadow, but I was already chanting.
"By the flame of the oath—burn."
A ring of fire exploded between us, wrapping around him in a spiraling seal. He tried to step forward—his armor hissing, burning—but my spell forced him to halt.
"I won't let you pass this gate," I whispered.
The knight broke through the fire seal with a deafening roar and lunged again. This time, I met him head-on. Our blades clashed, mana sparked like lightning, and our shadows danced violently along the bookshelves.
Every swing he made was meant to kill. Every movement I made was to delay—to defend.
Outside, Nara fought to finish the shield.
Inside, I fought to protect the last hope we had.
Inside the Library
The flames hissed as the knight burst through my seal, his blade sweeping in a deadly arc. I deflected with the edge of my dagger, barely avoiding the blow. The force sent me skidding back across the stone floor.
Books cracked against shelves. Dust rose around us. My palm bled from the deflection, but I couldn't stop.
"You never did finish your prayers, Priest," the knight snarled, stepping through the fire with smoke trailing from his armor. "Your gods abandoned you long ago."
"No…" I said calmly, circling him. "They just stopped listening to filth like you."
The knight charged again. His speed was unnatural now, boosted by rage. I slid beneath his swing, my staff extending with a pulse of mana, slamming into his back. He stumbled forward with a growl.
Using the momentum, I drew a rune into the floor with my blood and slammed my palm onto it.
A blast of red light erupted upward, engulfing the knight.
He screamed as the rune locked him in a cage of binding lines, floating symbols burning against his armor.
But he laughed through the pain.
"So, you remember this old magic. Good. It'll make your death worthy."
I stepped closer, dagger raised.
"No," I said coldly. "Your death will be slow. Because I have questions."
He stilled.
And I smiled faintly as the circle tightened.