Lord of Deception

Auron Starfire's breath came in ragged gasps as he leaned against the training hall's stone wall. His knuckles were bruised and bloodied, remnants of hours spent hammering his fists against the reinforced steel training dummies.

But no amount of training could erase the doubt festering inside him.

He had always believed himself unshakable—a hero chosen by the gods, the strongest warrior of Solaris.

And yet, Kael Ardyn had made him feel weak.

Not in battle. No, Auron had no doubts he could crush that scheming bastard in a fair fight.

But in matters of the heart?

That was where he was losing.

Elyndra was slipping from his grasp, and the worst part?

He couldn't stop it.

He had tried everything—gentle reassurances, passionate declarations, even pleading.

But every time he reached for her, she would pull away, as if some invisible force had placed a barrier between them.

And he knew who that force was.

Kael.

Auron clenched his fists.

That bastard was corrupting her, twisting her emotions, warping her mind.

And Elyndra…

Elyndra was falling into his hands.

He couldn't let that happen.

No matter the cost.

A Forbidden Request

The royal archives of Solaris were a place of sacred knowledge. Only the highest-ranking nobles, scholars, and royal bloodline members were permitted entry.

And Auron… Auron was about to break that law.

Clad in a dark cloak to obscure his golden armor, he moved through the moonlit halls, his steps silent as a predator. The palace was heavily guarded, but there were few who could rival his skill in stealth.

Not even Kael.

He reached the grand iron doors of the archive and pressed his palm against the ancient sigil.

A dull hum resonated through the stone as the seals unlocked.

Slipping inside, he wasted no time.

He knew what he was looking for.

Moving past scrolls of battle strategies, ancient maps, and forbidden magic tomes, he finally found the section on mind manipulation and sorcery.

If Kael was truly using some dark power to twist Elyndra's heart, then there had to be a way to break the spell.

His fingers traced over book spines until he found the one he sought:

"The Art of Dominion – Controlling the Weak of Heart."

His stomach turned at the title.

But if it meant saving Elyndra…

He had no choice.

Elyndra's Temptation

Elyndra stood before her mirror, her reflection haunting her.

The woman staring back was not the same Elyndra who had once sworn her love to Auron.

She had changed.

And she knew exactly why.

Kael.

His presence was unshakable, his voice lingering in her mind even when he wasn't near.

Her body had started betraying her.

She would wake up yearning for his touch, her dreams filled with things she dared not admit.

Even now, standing alone in her chamber, she could still feel the ghost of his fingers on her skin, his lips teasing her in places Auron had never dared.

Her breath hitched.

Was she truly so weak?

"Tell me to leave."

His words echoed in her ears.

She hadn't told him to leave.

She had let him stay.

And in doing so, she had allowed herself to fall.

A knock at her door shattered her thoughts.

She turned, heart pounding.

Auron.

She already knew before opening the door.

And the moment she saw his haggard face, the sheer desperation in his eyes, she felt a pang of guilt stab her chest.

"Auron…"

"We need to talk."

She hesitated.

"…Alright."

The Final Plea

Auron led her to the castle gardens, where the scent of moon lilies filled the air.

She shivered. Not from the cold.

But from the weight of what she knew was coming.

He turned to her, his blue eyes filled with a desperation she had never seen before.

"Elyndra, what's happening to us?"

She swallowed hard. "Auron, I—"

"Don't lie to me." His voice cracked. "Please. Just tell me the truth."

She looked away.

But Auron wasn't finished.

He reached out, cupping her face in his calloused hands.

"I love you," he whispered. "I have always loved you. And I know—I know—you still love me too."

Her lips parted, but no words came.

Because a part of her wasn't sure anymore.

And Auron saw it.

Saw the hesitation.

Saw the doubt.

His hands dropped to his sides.

"…It's him, isn't it?"

Elyndra flinched.

"…Kael." His voice was raw, filled with pain. "He's done something to you."

She shook her head. "No, it's not like that—"

"Then what is it?!"

Silence.

Auron let out a bitter laugh.

"You don't even know, do you?" He ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "Gods… Elyndra, I don't even recognize you anymore."

Tears welled in her eyes. "Auron, I never wanted to hurt you."

"Then choose me."

Her breath caught.

"Come with me right now," he pleaded. "Let's leave this castle, leave him behind. We'll go somewhere far away—just the two of us."

Elyndra's heart ached.

Because she wanted to say yes.

But instead, she whispered…

"…I can't."

Auron's world shattered.

He took a step back, as if physically struck.

And in that moment, Elyndra knew—she had broken him.

For the first time, Auron Starfire, the Hero of Solaris, looked defeated.

"…I see." His voice was hoarse.

A long silence stretched between them before he turned, his golden cloak fluttering behind him as he walked away.

And Elyndra did not stop him.

Kael Watches from the Shadows

Unseen, from the shadows of the garden, Kael Ardyn watched.

A cruel smile played on his lips as he swirled the wine in his goblet.

Auron had been strong.

But even the strongest of men could break.

And he had just watched him shatter.

Victory was inevitable now.

All that remained was to claim what was his.

Elyndra.

And he would make sure she never thought of Auron again.

To be continued....