The camp was awake long before sunrise Kael didn't sleep much. Too many questions kept turning in his head. Elder Rowan's message, the council's sudden interest in Seraphine, the strange tremor under the ground yesterday… everything was stacking up.
He pushed open the tent flap and stepped outside. The morning fog moved slow, like it was watching him.
Seraphine was already awake, leaning on a wooden railing, staring at the mountains. Not relaxed focused. Her breathing calm, but her hands a little tense. Every time she went quiet like this, Kael knew something heavy was bothering her.
He walked toward her.
"You're up early," he said.
"So are you," she replied.
For a moment, they didn't speak. The cold air pressed around them, carrying the smell of metal and fire. Soldiers trained in the distance.
Kael folded his arms. "You've been on edge since last night."
Seraphine didn't deny it. She just kept looking at the mountains, her eyes sharp.
"The council is moving too fast," she said. "They're asking for things they usually stay far away from. And Rowan is hiding something."
Kael nodded slowly. He felt the same. "And you think it's connected to the seal?"
"Not just the seal," Seraphine answered. "Something deeper. Something that has been sleeping for years. I can feel it." She touched her chest lightly. "Like a pressure."
He watched her for a moment. She wasn't trying to be dramatic she rarely ever was. When she said she felt something, she meant it.
Before Kael could respond, the ground trembled under their feet a low, heavy vibration that rolled through the camp. Several soldiers stopped their drills and looked around nervously.
Seraphine stepped back, steadying herself. "That again…"
Kael frowned. "That wasn't natural."
"Exactly my point."
The tremor faded, but the unease stayed.
A messenger ran toward them. "Kael! Seraphine! Elder Rowan is calling for you. Both of you. Urgently."
Seraphine and Kael exchanged a quick look. This wasn't normal.
"Let's go," Kael said.
The Elder's Revelation
Rowan's tent was quiet when they entered, but the Elder didn't look calm. Papers were spread across his table maps, old symbols, sketches of ancient stones buried in the earth.
Rowan usually had a soft expression, but today his face was tight with worry.
"You felt that tremor?" he asked.
"Yes," Seraphine answered. "And it's not the first."
Rowan nodded. "It's growing stronger. And it lines up with something I've been afraid of for years."
Kael stepped closer. "Afraid of what?"
Rowan hesitated. He took a deep breath. "You two are connected in ways neither of you fully understand. But there is something beneath the mountains something sealed there long before either of you were born."
Seraphine's eyebrows lowered. "You said the seal was weakening. Is this why?"
Rowan picked up a stone tablet cracked through the middle. Old runes glowed faintly on it.
"Every time this glows," Rowan said, "the seal under the mountain shifts."
He looked at Kael. "And it glowed yesterday… after you touched the gate during training."
Kael felt his stomach drop. "I didn't even do anything. I barely brushed it."
"That's the problem," Rowan replied. "It reacted too quickly. Too easily."
Seraphine stepped forward, voice steady. "Just tell us what's inside the mountain."
Rowan looked between them regret, fear, and something else hiding in his eyes.
"It isn't a creature," he said. "It isn't a weapon. It's… a memory. A force created by the old world. Something that binds destinies."
Kael frowned. "That sounds vague, Elder."
Rowan shot him a tired look. "It's vague because our ancestors wanted it hidden."
Seraphine asked, "So what happens if the seal breaks?"
Rowan exhaled slowly. "Then everything tied to that force will awaken. And I believe both of you are part of it."
The tent fell silent.
Finally, Kael said, "So what do you want us to do?"
"Investigate," Rowan said. "But not alone. The council wants both of you watched. Which means—"
He paused.
His expression darkened.
"You will be followed by Captain Darius."
Kael froze.
Seraphine's face tightened immediately.
Darius was the last person they wanted to see.
A Rival's Return
Darius arrived before Rowan even finished speaking.
He pushed aside the tent flap, tall and sharp-eyed as ever. His armor was polished to a shine, his expression full of confidence that bordered on arrogance. Behind him, a few elite guards stood at attention.
"Captain Darius," Rowan said wearily.
"I heard the assignment," Darius replied smoothly. "I'll make sure these two don't cause trouble."
Seraphine rolled her eyes. "We don't need a babysitter."
Darius smirked. "You especially."
Kael stepped forward. "Watch your mouth."
Darius ignored him and walked closer, eyes focused on Seraphine. "The council thinks you're unstable. Too unpredictable. Too dangerous."
Seraphine didn't flinch. "Then they're scared."
Kael almost smiled. Classic Seraphine.
But Darius wasn't amused. "You're both liabilities. I'll keep things under control."
Kael clenched his fists. "You mean you'll get in the way."
"I mean," Darius said calmly, "that I'll make sure you don't destroy something important."
The tension rose fast hot and sharp.
Seraphine stepped closer to Kael, not hiding whose side she was on.
Rowan sighed. "Enough. Darius, you'll accompany them, not interfere. Kael, Seraphine you leave in one hour. Prepare yourselves."
Darius gave a stiff nod and walked away, his guards following him.
As soon as he left, Kael muttered, "This is going to be a disaster."
Seraphine didn't disagree. "He'll slow us down."
"Or start a fight," Kael added.
She gave him a sideways look. "Try not to punch him."
Kael raised a brow. "No promises."
Quiet Moments, Loud Thoughts
They stepped outside Rowan's tent. The sky was turning brighter, and the camp was fully alive now, but Kael felt heavier than before.
Darius being added to the mission changed a lot. It meant the council didn't trust them. It meant their movements were being watched. And it meant conflict was coming soon.
Seraphine picked up her bag from a bench, checking her gear. Kael watched her quietly.
"What?" she said, not looking up.
"You're thinking too much."
"Maybe," she admitted. "But something is wrong. I can feel it."
Kael looked out toward the mountains. "Whatever's coming… we'll handle it."
Seraphine gave a short, dry laugh. "You say that like we've ever had a normal mission."
"We survived the last eight."
"Barely."
Kael smirked. "We'll survive this one too."
Seraphine finally looked up at him. For a moment, her usual walls didn't feel as high.
"Just stay close," she said quietly. "Don't run off like you did yesterday."
Kael shook his head. "I didn't run off. I just" acted without thinking," she finished for him.
He opened his mouth to argue, but she turned away, hiding her face.
He could tell she wasn't really annoyed — just worried.
Before he could say anything, another tremor hit — sharp this time, pushing dust off the ground.
Seraphine grabbed the rail for balance. Kael steadied himself.
"That one felt… stronger," she said.
Kael nodded. "Let's move before the next one breaks something."
Toward the Mountains
As they walked toward the main gate, the camp's soldiers watched them some with curiosity, others with fear.
Rumors about Seraphine's powers spread fast. Rumors about Kael's connection to the seal spread even faster.
Darius stood there waiting, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"It's about time," he said.
Kael ignored him. Seraphine didn't even look at him.
The gate opened, and the mountains towered ahead — tall, dark, heavy with secrets.
Kael placed a hand on the strap of his bag. "Ready
?"
Seraphine nodded once.
Darius just said, "Try to keep up."
The three of them stepped forward.
The tremors were getting stronger.
The air was growing heavier.
And something beneath the mountains was waking up.
End of Chapter 18 🛡️