Blood of Light and Shadow Part 3: Ruins of Eldrath
The ruined imperial city loomed under blood moon.
Crumbled towers reached like broken fingers.
Aldric's group pressed deeper into the shadows.
His armor felt heavier with every step.
The obsidian amulet now burned constantly.
Garrick rode closer than before.
Watching.
Always watching.
They found the Night Covenant chamber.
Ancient carvings glowed on black stone walls.
The witch had joined them reluctantly.
"Here lies the truth of both sides," she warned.
Aldric touched the carvings.
Visions flooded him.
Holy armies massacring dark clans.
But also dark rituals summoning endless war.
Pontiff Lucius arrived with reinforcements.
His golden carriage cut through the fog.
He stepped out, robes pristine.
"Aldric, my faithful son."
His voice dripped false warmth.
But his blue eyes held fracture.
Fear of losing control.
Garrick reported privately.
"The blood is strong in him."
The Pontiff's hand shook once.
"Then we use it. Or end it."
He needed the eternal conflict.
To keep power.
Aldric confronted the witch alone.
"Am I monster or man?"
She placed a hand on his chest.
"Both. Like all of us."
The amulet flared.
A secondary relic - the fractured Holy Sword - reacted.
Its blade turned dark at his touch.
Garrick drew his dagger in the shadows.
He had orders.
But doubt crept into his scarred face.
The city ruins whispered of betrayal.
Aldric felt power surge.
May you like
Dark wings of energy briefly flickered behind him.
What if the Light needed the Dark to survive?
