ShadowBound: The Need For Power

It had been four days since Gordon's capture, and during those four days, Ember had felt nothing but a growing sense of unease. On the day it happened, she had been focused on her task—monitoring Sheila, who was still being guarded closely by Magnus. She had followed them carefully, waiting for the moment Gordon was supposed to cause a diversion, a moment that never came.

At first, she assumed Gordon had failed to reach Liam, which turned out to be true. But she only realized something was seriously wrong when their mental connection abruptly cut off—severed without warning.

In that instant, Ember knew something had gone horribly wrong. Gordon wasn't just delayed—he had walked into a situation even he hadn't anticipated. She told herself he might still be alive… but as the hours turned into a full day without a single sign or signal, that hope began to wither. All she could think was: he's dead.

But what truly unsettled her wasn't just Gordon's absence—it was Sylvathar's silence.

Not once had the Demon Lord reached out to her. Not a whisper. No instructions. No reassurance. Ember began to feel a deeper fear—not just that she had been left in the dark, but that she had been abandoned. That Sylvathar had deemed her a failure the moment Gordon was taken. The moment the plan began to collapse.

And to make matters worse, a new dread began to creep into her days.

She felt watched.

It was subtle at first—a tingling awareness that someone's gaze was lingering too long. But it never stopped. Whether she was in front of her students, walking the halls pretending everything was normal, or alone in the sanctuary of her room, the feeling persisted. Even in the shower, behind locked doors and protective wards, she felt the weight of unseen eyes.

She searched and scouted. She checked every corner and shadow. However, she found no one.

And yet… the feeling remained.

Maybe it was paranoia.

Maybe it was guilt.

But deep down, Ember didn't believe it was in her head.

Someone was watching.

With no one left to rely on but herself, Ember clung to the mask of her old self—quiet, reserved, harmless—hoping it was enough to keep suspicion away. Most of the time, she was alone. But there was one person who always seemed to reach out to her: Regulus.

Still unaware of what she had become, Regulus treated Ember like he always had—with warmth, kindness, and a bit of teasing. To him, she was still the shy girl who'd rather sink into the floor than speak in front of a crowd. Because of that, he continued to speak with her freely, making her laugh when no one else could.

At first, Ember kept her distance. Part of her feared he might've been sent to get close—to watch her, to trap her. But as the days passed, that fear began to fade. She saw no signs of deceit in him. Just Regulus, being the same old friend he'd always been. Perhaps… the only real friend she had ever had.

And strangely, whenever he was around, that unsettling feeling of being watched disappeared. The ever-present gaze that followed her everywhere seemed to vanish in his presence. Because of that, she found herself seeking him out more often—gravitating toward the calm he brought with him.

Tonight, Ember sat alone in one of the staff rooms tucked into the south wing of the academy. A single chandelier bathed the space in a soft, amber glow. She sat at a table with an open book in front of her, eyes fixed on the pages, though her mind was far, far away.

Long before Sylvathar entered her life—before the hybrid transformation, before the lies—Ember had been just a lonely girl. And the only person who had ever truly stayed by her side… was Regulus. Over time, her feelings for him had deepened, blossoming into something far more than friendship. But she had never been brave enough to say anything. Her shyness had always held her back.

Ironically, becoming a Gaia hybrid had changed that. The process had given her a strange kind of confidence—an inner fire. Yet the mission Sylvathar had given her forced her to hide it. To return to that meek, unassuming girl who'd never speak her heart. She had told herself there wasn't time for love. Not now. Not like this.

But now, with Gordon gone, Sylvathar silent, and her cover at risk, Regulus was the only constant. The only light left in her crumbling world.

And over the last four days, Ember had wrestled with the growing urge to tell him everything—not just her feelings, but the truth. About Sylvathar. About the demon she had served. About the role she had played.

And after that… she'd surrender herself to the kingdom. Reveal everything she knew about Sylvathar and hope, just hope, that her punishment might be lessened.

But imagining it was easier than doing it.

There was a war inside her. Guilt. Fear. Hope.

But at the center of it all… was Regulus.

She'd rather see the look on his face when she told him the truth—face the hurt, the anger, the betrayal—than endure the pain of him hearing it from someone else. Or worse… finding out in the worst possible way.

A knock at the door jolted Ember from her thoughts.

She blinked, her eyes finally refocusing on the book in front of her. She hadn't read a single word. Quietly, she closed the book and looked toward the door.

"Ember?" came Regulus's familiar voice. Gentle, warm… grounding.

Her heart fluttered and sank all at once.

"Come in," she said softly, her voice a whisper against the hum of her mind.

The door creaked open, and Regulus stepped in, carrying two steaming mugs. He smiled as he approached, setting one down in front of her.

"I figured you'd be here. You always hide away in quiet corners when you're overthinking."

Ember offered a weak smile. "And you always manage to find me."

"Perks of being your best friend," he said as he pulled out a chair and sat down beside her with the easy comfort of someone who belonged in her world.

For a while, silence stretched between them, filled only by the soft clink of his cup as he took a slow sip. Ember watched him quietly—really watched him. The way his hair lazily fell into his eyes, the slight crinkle at the corners of his smile, how his presence alone seemed to steady the storm inside her. He hadn't changed. Or maybe he had, and she was the one too far gone to recognize what remained.

"Regulus," she began, her voice uneven.

He turned toward her, his expression softening with concern. "Are you alright?"

She hesitated, the weight of the moment settling heavily on her shoulders. There would be no turning back after this.

"I need to tell you something. Something important. And… it won't be easy to hear."

He slowly placed his mug down, his eyes fixed on hers. "Okay. Whatever it is, I'm here. I'm listening."

She inhaled shakily, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "I haven't been honest with you. Not for a long time."

Regulus didn't speak. He simply waited. Not with judgment, but with quiet patience—an invitation for her to continue when she was ready.

"I—" Her words cut off as a sudden, sharp pain stabbed through her skull. Ember winced, clutching her head. A low groan escaped her lips as she pushed her chair back and stood abruptly, staggering toward the door.

"Ember? What's wrong?" Regulus stood up at once, alarmed by the way she moved.

"I'm fine. I'll be right back," she said quickly, her voice strained as she hurried out of the room.

Regulus followed a few steps but stopped when he realized where she was heading—the staff restroom. He paused outside, worry etched across his features.

"I'll be waiting," he said gently, his voice laced with concern.

Inside the restroom, Ember collapsed to her knees with a cry of pain. The stabbing sensation in her head intensified, growing unbearable. Her breath came in short gasps, her vision blurred—until, without warning, her icy blue eyes shifted to a glowing, unnatural green. She froze, still as stone.

Then, a voice echoed inside her mind. Familiar and undeniably powerful.

"Child. Were you just about to betray the one who granted you power and freedom?"

Her breath caught. Still kneeling, eyes wide, Ember whispered, "No, my Lord. I could never."

"You dare to lie in my presence? How revolting," Sylvathar's voice rang in her mind—not angry, but terrifyingly calm.

"Please… forgive me, my Lord. I would never do such a thing," Ember replied, her voice trembling.

Silence followed. Long, oppressive silence. Then Sylvathar spoke again.

"Your pleas mean nothing to me. Only your loyalty matters. And if you wish to regain my trust, then I have a task for you."

"Anything," Ember said without hesitation, her voice quiet but resolute. "I shall do anything, my Lord."

"Gordon is no longer with us. Therefore, you will falsely turn yourself in to the kingdom. Be convincing—make them believe you. Win their trust. Use your little lover boy if necessary to make it work."

Ember swallowed hard, nodding once though no one could see.

"The child of divine blessing is still needed. You must ensure they trust you enough to leave her unguarded. When the time is right, Morbuan will collect the child without resistance. Understood?"

Ember didn't move. The green glow of her eyes pulsed once in the mirror's reflection.

"Yes, my Lord. I understand."