Fate Dark Side of Betrayer

You cannot hesitate, Arden. Not this time. Caius grasped my arm and drove me to meet his eyes, his voice low and laced with urgency. From you already, they have taken too much.

I yanked my arm free, pointed at him. And should I go through with it, what then? What happens should I start to resemble them? "

"They don't care about lines, Arden," he said, his voice tightening. "They will cross every one until nothing remains of you or someone you know. To stop them, you must be ready to stop yourself as well.

Tension boiled in the air between us, his words weighty like a physical force down on me. My chest tense, I turned away and stared at the figure asleep in the field. They were among the Circle's enforcers; they had been hunting us nonstop for days. And just now they were under my control.

"What then are you waiting for? Elara's voice shrill and merciless broke through the silence. If the roles were reversed, they would not show you the same kindness.

My voice shaking, I added, "I'm not like them." "I not want to be like them."

Elara moved in closer, steely eyes. Arden, this has nothing to do with your preferences. This addresses survival. They will follow you once more if you do not finish them now. And the following time they won't miss.

I gazed down at the dagger in my palm, its blade barely glistening in the moonlight. My hold tightened, and as if pushing me ahead, the Sigel on my wrist blazed with heat. Every stride I made toward the enforcer, though, seemed to be a step away from the person I used to be.

"They deserve it," Caius said gently, his voice less sharp now. You are aware of their existence.

And what if I have no idea what they are due? With a faltering voice, I asked. "What if I simply want this all stopped? The "

"It won't," he said, approaching closely. " Not until you stop them."

The enforcer shook, their eyes flickering open. They gazed hazy but with defiance, then looked up at me. You believe this transforms everything? Their rasping was loud. "The Circle spans more than you could imagine. more robust than you. Killing me won't stop it."

"Maybe not," Elara said, her voice cold. "But it'll slow them down."

"Or make them angrier," I murmured, the dagger trembling in my hand. "It'll make me the thing I've been fighting against."

"And if you don't fight, you lose everything," Caius said, his voice firm. "You don't get to walk away from this, Arden. Not now. Not ever."

The enforcer laughed, the sound weak but mocking. "Listen to them," they said, their voice dripping with disdain. "They're just like us. Willing to do whatever it takes to win. You think you're different, but you're not."

"Shut up," Caius snapped, his dagger flashing as he stepped toward the enforcer.

"Wait," I said, my voice stopping him mid-step. "This is my choice. Not yours."

He hesitated, his jaw tight, but he stepped back, his gaze fixed on me. "Then make it."

I stood there, the dagger heavy in my palm, as the weight of the moment pressed down on me. The enforcer's words echoed in my mind, their taunts cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. Elara and Caius watched in silence, their expressions unreadable, but I could feel the weight of their expectations.

The Sigel on my wrist burned hotter, and for a moment, I thought I saw the threads of Fate shifting around me, weaving and unravelling in time with my thoughts. Every choice felt like the wrong one, but I knew I couldn't stand still forever.

I took a step forward, the enforcer's eyes widening as I raised the dagger. The world seemed to hold its breath, and for a moment, all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart.

"Arden," Caius said softly, his voice steady. "Whatever you choose, make sure it's your choice. Not theirs."

His words anchored me, and my chest tightened with uncertainty, so I slightly lowered the dagger. The enforcer fixed me squarely, their resistance giving way to something else—probably desperation or terror.

"Go," I replied finally, my voice shaking. "And don't come back."

The enforcer glanced at me in surprise, then climbed to their feet and disappeared into the trees without a word. The silence that followed was terrible, broken only by the sound of my trembling breaths.

"You let them go," Elara replied, her voice harsh with disdain. "Do you realize what you've just done? The "

"I made a choice," I murmured, turning to face her. "My choice. Not yours."

"And when they come back with reinforcements?" she demanded. "When more individuals die from inability to act in the required manner?'''

Then that's on me, I said with great clarity. "Not you. Nobody else.

Stepping forward, Caius had an incomprehensible look. "You don't owe anyone an explanation," he added gently. "Not even her."

Elara scoffed, but she didn't argue. She turned instead, clearly frustrated in every step walking away.

"You did what you thought was right," Caius continued, his voice lower now. "That's all anyone can ask of you."

"For now," I said, staring at the space where the enforcer had vanished. But what happens when it falls short?

"Then we deal with it," he remarked, not elaborately. "Together".

The insignia on my wrist flashed with blinding brilliance before I could reply, and I felt heat wave pass through me. As a voice rang in my head, I staggered and Caius grabbed me before I could fall.

Though the decision has been taken, the strands are fraying. Guard against the repercussions.

The light dropped, leaving me shaking and gasping. Looking at Caius, his eyes full of anxiety, I understood that my decision had put something in motion regardless of how right it felt. Not something I was ready for.