The impact sent Kaelen slidding backward, their silver blade digging into the ground to slow their momentum. Celeste landed lightly, Aether swirling around her. Kaelen, looked almost… unfazed.
They lifted their head, their piercing gaze locked onto her. Then, without warning, they laughed. It wasn't mocking or cruel—it was something else entirely.
"You really are something, Unbound One," Kaelen said, rising to their full height. Their silver blade pulsed with energy, but they didn't raise it again. Instead, they tilted their head as if considering something.
Celeste her hands still charged with Aether. "What's so funny?"
Kaelen exhaled, twirling their blade before "Most people would be dead by now. Even among the strongest , none of them could have lasted this long against me." "And yet, here you stand."
Celeste narrowed her eyes
Kaelen leaned against their sword, resting one hand on the hilt. "Tell me, Celeste… do you even know why the Pantheon fears you?"
Celeste tensed. She had heard the same nonsense before—of her existence being an anomaly. But no one had ever given her a straight answer.
Kaelen chuckled.
"You've tapped into something even the gods don't fully understand," Kaelen continued. "The Aether you wield… it's not just a tool or a power source. It's older than the Pantheon itself."
Celeste stiffened. "What are you saying?"
Kaelen exhaled, . "The gods are not what they claim to be."
Celeste took a slow step forward. "Then tell me. If you know so much, why are you still fighting for them?"
Kaelen was silent for a moment. Then, they let out a quiet chuckle. "Because I have no choice."
With a swift motion, they pulled their blade from the ground and sheathed it "I was sent here to kill you. But now."
Celeste's Aether flickered slightly. "Then why don't you walk away?"
Kaelen smirked. "Because I still have a role to play. And so do you." They turned, stepping back toward the shadows. "You should leave soon. The next one they send after you won't hesitate."
Celeste clenched her fists. "And what about you? Are we enemies or something else?"
Kaelen glanced over their shoulder. "That depends on what you do next, Unbound One."
Then, in a blur of motion, they vanished into the darkness, leaving Celeste standing there slient