Chapter 14: The Thief in the Dark
January 18, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Flora spun, flames igniting in her palms.
A figure stepped from the darkness — tall, cloaked, moving with the fluid grace of a shadow given form. His face was hidden behind a hood, but his voice carried a smooth, amused lilt.
“Relax,” he said. “If I wanted you dead, you’d already be ash.”
Flora didn’t lower her hands. “You’re Tenebris.”
He gave a theatrical bow. “At your service. Or not. Depends on your intentions.”
Aestus stepped forward. “We need the map to the Sword of Vengeance.”
Tenebris chuckled. “Of course you do. Everyone wants something sharp and legendary these days.”
Flora glared. “This isn’t a joke.”
“Oh, but it is,” Tenebris said, circling them. “Because the sword doesn’t just kill. It judges. And it vaporizes anyone who seeks revenge.”
His gaze flicked to Flora.
“Tell me, fire‑girl… do you truly carry no vengeance in your heart?”
Flora stiffened. “I want justice.”
“Mm,” Tenebris hummed. “A pretty word. Often a mask for something darker.”
Aestus stepped between them. “Enough. Do you have the map or not?”
Tenebris sighed dramatically. “I do. But I don’t give things away for free.”
Flora narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?”
Tenebris smiled beneath his hood. “A favor. One I will collect later.”
“No,” Flora said immediately.
“Yes,” Aestus said at the same time.
They glared at each other.
Tenebris clapped his hands. “Wonderful! A divided duo. My favorite kind.”
He reached into his cloak and pulled out a scroll sealed with black wax.
“The map,” he said. “Yours… for a promise.”
Flora hesitated.
Aestus whispered, “We don’t have a choice.”
Flora exhaled slowly. “Fine. We agree.”
Tenebris handed her the scroll. “Excellent. I’ll come find you when I need you.”
Flora’s stomach twisted.
Tenebris stepped backward — and dissolved into shadow.
