Chapter 5: The Brothers of Shadow
The air inside the temple thickened like smoke. The torches along the stone walls flickered violently, their flames bending toward the man who had just appeared from the darkness.
Gabriel stepped forward, his armor glinting under the pale light. His eyes — a deep crimson — locked on Ben, and a faint, mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Still playing the hero, I see," Gabriel said softly. "Protecting the humans who once cursed us. You never learn."
Ben raised his sword slowly. "And you never stop destroying what little good is left."
The two men stood in silence for a moment — brothers in creation, enemies in destiny. The temple itself seemed to tremble between them.
Mia stood behind Ben, heart pounding, unsure whether to be afraid or to pity the man who called himself Gabriel. There was something tragic in his eyes — the kind of pain that came from centuries of betrayal.
Gabriel's gaze shifted toward her. "Ah," he said quietly. "So this is the girl who carries the light."
He tilted his head, studying her. "She even looks like her… the one who chose you over me."
Mia frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Ben's grip tightened on his sword. "Don't listen to him, Mia."
Gabriel chuckled darkly. "Still protecting her? Just like before. You'll fail again, brother — because fate doesn't change."
Before Ben could answer, Gabriel moved — faster than lightning. Their swords clashed, the sound echoing through the temple like thunder. Sparks flew.
Ben's blade glowed silver, Gabriel's black. Light and darkness collided, shaking the ancient pillars around them.
Mia screamed as a shockwave threw her back. Father John caught her, shielding her from falling stones.
"Ben!" she cried.
The brothers fought like two storms colliding. Ben's strikes were clean and desperate, while Gabriel's were fueled by rage and sorrow.
Finally, Gabriel caught Ben's arm, twisting his sword away. "You still don't understand," Gabriel hissed. "You and I are not enemies. We're two halves of the same curse!"
Ben pushed him back, blood dripping from a cut across his cheek. "Then I'll break the curse — even if it kills me."
Gabriel's smile faded. "You always were the fool."
He vanished into the shadows, leaving only the echo of his voice:
"The light will fall… and when it does, you'll remember what you truly are."
Silence filled the temple once more.
Mia rushed to Ben's side, helping him stand. His breathing was rough, his eyes shadowed by pain.
"Ben," she whispered, "what did he mean — two halves of the same curse?"
Ben didn't answer right away. His gaze drifted toward the ancient symbols glowing faintly on the floor.
"Because," he said finally, "Gabriel and I were created from the same soul."
Mia's breath caught. "The same soul?"
He nodded. "When the Holy Guard tried to forge a weapon against darkness centuries ago, they split a pure spirit in two — one light, one shadow. I was the light. Gabriel became the dark."
Father John looked pale. "Then if he dies…"
Ben finished quietly, "…so do I."
Outside, thunder rumbled once more over Moonvale Island.
Deep beneath the temple, something began to stir — a faint heartbeat, slow but growing stronger.
The Shadow Heart was awakening.