Page 34 of Rebel's Fated Mate

"We're almost there," I whispered, my voice filled with determination.

We burst into the open space, finding Elara standing in the center, her arms raised to defend herself. Her eyes widened in shock and relief as she saw us. "Kael!"[MN76]

"Elara!" I rushed to her side, cutting through the guards who tried to stop me. I pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling her warmth and strength.

"We need to get out of here," I said urgently, my hand gripping hers.

Before we could move, a door at the far end of the chamber swung open, revealing Corvus and Emperor Draven. Draven's eyes gleamed with malice, his thin lips curling into a sinister smile.

"The traitor arrives just in time to face his destiny."

Draven stepped forward; his small frame dwarfed by the oversized throne behind him. [MN77]"Well done, Corvus. As for you, Kael, your defiance ends here."

I tightened my grip on my sword, my eyes locked on Corvus. "You won't win."

Elara stepped beside me, her hands glowing with magical energy. "Together, we can defeat them."

Corvus laughed, raising his hands to summon dark magic. "Let's see you try."

The battle erupted, our combined powers clashing with Corvus and Draven's dark magic. The runes pulsed faintly on the walls, their suppressive magic still dampening Elara’s powers and my strength.

As I fought off another band of guards, my mind raced to find a way to disable the runes. I remembered something I’d heard in the encampments once. The runes were linked by a network of magical veins, and if disrupted at a critical point, their power could be nullified.

I scanned the room, looking for the focal point of the runes' magic. My eyes settled on a particularly intricate rune etched into the floor in the center of the room.

With one hard roll, I came to stop as I pulled out my dagger and struck through the rune, breaking the lines and severing the connection. The room pulsed with a sudden surge of energy as the entire pattern was ruined.

I felt a wave of power washover me, my abilities flooding back with a renewed force. I could feel the strength of my dire bear form returning, and my senses sharpened to their supernatural clarity.

I glanced at Elara and our eyes met in understanding. She nodded and with a firm shake of her hand, she unleashed a surge of power at the enemy guards.

Elara's control over the earth and [MN78]my strength as a dire bear shifter created a formidable force. The rebels joined the fight, their movements swift and precise.

Corvus's magic lashed out, but Elara countered with blasts of stone and earth, deflecting his attacks. Draven attempted to cast a spell, but I charged at him, disrupting his concentration with a powerful blow.

The chamber shook with the force of our battle, the walls cracking and the floor rumbling beneath us. Corvus's confidence wavered as he realized we were a match for his dark powers.

"Give up, Corvus," I shouted, slashing at him with my sword. "Your reign of terror ends here."

Draven's eyes widened with fear as Elara summoned a massive boulder, hurling it towards him. He barely managed to dodge, his composure cracking.

"Enough!" Draven shouted, holding up his hands. "You win this time. Go, take your rebels and leave Aethel."

I glanced at Elara. We had won this battle, but I knew the war was far from over. "Let's get out of here."

We told the rebels to head out of Aethel, guiding them towards the exit. As we reached the city gates, ready to leave, Corvus appeared, his eyes burning with rage.[MN79]

"You're not going anywhere, Kael," he snarled.

He raised his hand, and an image appeared in the air—subjects surrounded by dark, swirling magic. "If you want these people to live, you'll stay."

Elara's eyes widened in horror. "Kael, don't."

My heart was heavy as I turned to her. "I have to. It's the only way to save them."

Corvus sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Come now or they all die."

I stepped forward. "I'll give myself up. Just let them go."