All Chapters of Bonds By Blades : Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

Kael couldn't speak.The words Rhydian had just said echoed in his head. I don't know how to live without you.No one had ever chosen him. Not as a person. Not because they wanted to. House Virel chose him as a weapon. The academy chose him as a student. The abyss chose him as an heir.But Rhydian chose Kael. Just Kael. Nothing else.Kael took a slow step forward. His gray eyes never left Rhydian's face.Rhydian swallowed hard. "What?"Kael stopped inches away. "I don't know what to do." His voice was barely a whisper. "I've never had someone say that to me."Rhydian's heart ached. He smiled sadly. "I figured.""You shouldn't have.""Too late."A faint smile appeared on Kael's face. Small. Real. Beautiful.Rhydian stared at him. "There it is again."Kael frowned. "What?""That smile. It makes me forget we're standing in front of an ancient gate."For one brief moment, Kael laughed. Softly. The sound echoed through the chamber.The red eyes behind the gate widened. The silver-eyed figu

The Gatekeeper King stepped through the opening. The chamber shook beneath his weight. He was over seven feet tall, dressed in black armor that looked as old as the abyss itself. Long silver hair fell over his shoulders, and a dark crown rested on his head. His crimson eyes settled on Kael."So," he said with a calm smile, "you are the last heir."Every Gatekeeper lowered their heads. "My King."The Gatekeeper King ignored them. He walked forward slowly, his boots echoing across the stone floor. Each step filled the chamber with crushing pressure.Rhydian stepped in front of Kael without hesitation. "If you want him, you go through me."The King stopped. For a moment, he simply stared at Rhydian. Then he laughed. "You remind me of someone.""I get that a lot.""You have courage.""I prefer stupidity."A faint smile crossed the King's face. "Perhaps."Kael moved beside Rhydian. "You are not taking me anywhere."The King looked at him. "I did not come to take you."Kael frowned. "Then w

The pillar of golden light swallowed Kael and Rhydian.The chamber disappeared. The Gatekeepers. The Gatekeeper King. The silver-eyed figure. Everything vanished. Only light remained.Rhydian reached out blindly until his fingers found Kael's hand. He held on tightly. "I'm starting to hate glowing magic."Kael almost smiled. "You hate everything.""Not everything." His answer came so quickly that Kael looked at him. Rhydian cleared his throat. "You know what I mean."Before Kael could reply, the light faded. They found themselves standing in a quiet valley beneath a blue sky. A gentle breeze moved through the tall grass. Wildflowers covered the hills. Birds sang in the distance. It was beautiful. Too beautiful.Kael looked around carefully. "This isn't real."A calm voice answered him. "No."An old man stood beneath a large white tree. His long silver hair reached his waist. He wore simple white robes, and his eyes shone like liquid gold. Unlike the others they had met, there was no d

"Rhydian!"Kael's voice echoed through the endless white space. He took a step forward, but an invisible force stopped him. "Let me go!"Another scream tore through the silence. It was Rhydian. There was no mistaking it. Kael's heart pounded against his ribs. "What is happening to him?"Elyan looked away. "The second trial is different.""What does that mean?""It tests the heart that chooses to stay."Kael frowned. "I don't understand.""You will."Aster placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. "You cannot help him."Kael pulled away immediately. "I have to.""If you interfere, he fails."Kael clenched his fists. "Then send me to him."Elyan slowly shook his head. "This is a path he must walk alone."The white space disappeared. A wall of light rose before Kael. Images slowly formed on its surface.He saw Rhydian standing in the middle of a ruined city. The streets were empty. The sky was dark. Ash drifted through the air like snow.Rhydian looked around, confused. "Kael?" No one answered.

Darkness poured through the broken barrier.The white world cracked apart as if it were made of glass. The red-eyed creature stepped into the Trial of Two Hearts. Its body had no clear shape. Black mist twisted around it like living shadows, hiding everything except its burning crimson eyes.Every step it took turned the white ground black. Flowers withered. Trees crumbled into ash. Even the light began to fade.Kael felt the mark on his chest burn.The creature smiled. "At last." Its voice echoed from every direction. "You cannot hide from destiny forever."Rhydian moved in front of Kael without thinking. His sword flashed into his hand. "If you want him, you'll have to go through me."The creature laughed. "I have watched countless heroes make that promise. They all died."Rhydian lifted his chin. "I'm not countless heroes.""No." The creature's eyes narrowed. "You are something far more troublesome."Aster drew his own blade and stood beside them. "So am I."The red eyes shifted to