Plague Of Shadows

The morning air was crisp, carrying the sharp clang of steel as swords clashed in the heart of the training grounds.

Annalise had expected to find Ethan here, but she hadn't expected to see him locked in a fierce duel with Ser Aldric.

The fight was mesmerizing.

It wasn't just a simple spar—it was a battle of skill, raw strength, and sheer endurance.

Ser Aldric fought with a water-infused aura, his blade moving with precise, fluid strikes, each one rippling with the force of an unrelenting current. Water coiled around him like a living entity, forming sharp, whip-like tendrils that lashed out with every movement. He was a veteran warrior, and his mastery of both sword and aura made him a formidable opponent.

Ethan, however, fought without an aura attribute—a fact that set him apart from most high-ranking knights. And yet, he held his ground.

His movements were razor-sharp, every strike deliberate, every dodge calculated. His swordwork was pure, honed to perfection through years of grueling training and battles. Where Aldric wielded elemental power, Ethan relied solely on skill, instinct, and the lethal precision of his blade.

The knights surrounding the training grounds had paused their own drills, drawn in by the intensity of the duel.

Everyone knew Ethan couldn't use an aura attribute. It was unheard of for a Swordmaster—especially one as prodigiously gifted as him. Most knights only awakened their aura upon reaching adulthood, around eighteen. Few ever reached the rank of Swordmaster before the age of thirty-five, and even those who did were considered geniuses.

Ethan had reached that peak at sixteen.

Some whispered that his unnatural growth was due to his father's experiments. Others speculated that his lack of an aura attribute was the price he paid for such rapid advancement.

Regardless, Ethan was feared. Respected. And alone.

Aldric lunged, his sword a blur as a wave of water shot forward, aiming to sweep Ethan's legs out from under him.

Ethan didn't retreat.

Instead, he stepped into the attack, cutting through the water with a downward slash before pulling out his aura gun in one swift motion.

A sharp crack split the air.

A pulse of condensed energy shot toward Aldric. Aura in solid form was stronger than most metals in the empire of Eldoria.

Aldric barely managed to raise a water barrier in time. The bullet struck, sending a cloud of steam billowing into the air.

But Ethan was already moving.

He lunged, switching seamlessly back to his sword. Their blades met in a violent clash, locking together in a test of sheer strength.

For a moment, Ethan pushed forward.

Then, Aldric smirked.

With a swift twist, he broke Ethan's stance and swept his leg out from under him.

Ethan crashed onto his back.

In a blink, Aldric's sword was at his chest.

Silence.

Then—Ethan let out a sharp breath, running a hand through his black hair, looking equal parts irritated and amused.

"Damn."

Aldric chuckled, stepping back. "One day, you might actually win, boy."

Ethan pushed himself up, dusting off his uniform. "You say that every time."

"Because it's true."

The surrounding knights chuckled.

Aldric sheathed his sword and gave Ethan a knowing look. "You rely too much on skill alone. No aura reinforcement. No enhanced durability. A body can only take so much."

Ethan scoffed. "And here I thought I was doing well."

Aldric grinned. "Oh, you were. Against an ordinary knight, you'd tear them apart." He smirked. "But unfortunately, you were fighting me."

Ethan shot him a flat look. "I take back my respect."

Aldric laughed.

It was then that Annalise stepped forward.

Aldric was the first to notice, straightening slightly. "Lady Annalise."

Ethan turned at the mention of her name.

Their gazes met.

For the briefest second, something flickered in his expression—curiosity, maybe something more.

Then—so quickly it was almost imperceptible—a faint blush touched his scarred left cheek.

Aldric noticed.

A slow, knowing smirk spread across his face. "Didn't know we had an audience. Maybe that's why you were off your game, Ethan."

Ethan shot him a sharp glare. "Shut up."

Aldric only chuckled.

But when he turned back to Annalise, his amusement faded.

There was urgency in her sapphire-blue eyes. Something heavy. Unspoken.

Ethan noticed it too.

His expression turned unreadable. "What brings you here?"

Annalise took a steady breath. "I need to speak with you. Alone."

The air shifted.

Ethan studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Alright."

He holstered his gun and gestured for her to follow.

They walked past the training grounds, through the stone corridors, until they reached a secluded alcove in the courtyard.

The moment they were alone, Annalise turned to him.

"There's something happening," she said, her voice firm. "People are going missing. Others are falling sick. And whatever this is—it's spreading."

Ethan's expression darkened.

Annalise hesitated, then said, "I see visions."

Ethan exhaled slowly. "Visions?"

She nodded. "Of people turning into monsters. This plague—it's not ordinary. If we don't act now, we're all going to die."

Ethan was quiet for a long moment before he finally said, "How do you know your visions are real?"

"Is this about last night? A nightmare?"

"No," Annalise snapped. "I've been having them for months—before we were married."

She gritted her teeth. "I ignored them at first. Thought they were dreams. But then I had a vision of something that would happen in a few days. And it did."

Ethan crossed his arms, still skeptical. "It could've been coincidence."

Annalise clenched her fists, frustrated. Think. Think.

Then—she remembered.

Leandria Fortress.

She snapped her fingers. "I know about Leandria Fortress."

Ethan stilled.

His expression didn't change, but something in his eyes flickered.

"…How do you know that name?" His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

Annalise hesitated.

Leandria Fortress wasn't public knowledge. Even duchesses of Vornhart weren't privy to its existence. Only the previous heads, Ethan and his most trusted knights knew of it.

"I saw it in a vision," she said carefully.

Ethan's gaze sharpened. "And what exactly did you see?"

Annalise swallowed. "We were running. From something. We were in your father's hidden laboratory. You had a map—pointing to Leandria."

She left out the part where they died before reaching it.

Ethan was silent for a long time.

Then, finally, he let out a slow breath.

"…What do you propose we do?"

Annalise's heart pounded.

"We need to move. Leandria is the safest place. We stockpile supplies. Fortify the fortress. Get people there before it's too late."

Ethan watched her. "And how do you expect me to convince people to follow me to a place they don't even know exists? Based on your visions?"

Annalise met his gaze. "Because if we don't, they're going to die."

Ethan was silent.

Then—

"I'll consider it."

He wasn't dismissing her.

He wasn't brushing her aside.

And that meant—just maybe—she had a chance to save them all.