First Touch

First Touch
Elias woke with a start. His head hurt like someone had hit it with a rock. The last thing he remembered was touching Kael and seeing those strange images.
"Easy," said a soft voice. "You've been out for hours."
Seraphina sat beside him, her silver hair falling over her worried face. They were in a small cave, lit by a single blue flame floating in space.
"Where's Kael?" Elias asked, his throat dry.
"Here." Kael stepped into the light. His golden eyes looked tired. "We had to move you after you fell. The shadow dogs will be back."
Elias tried to sit up. His whole body felt heavy. "What happened to us? Those dreams..."
"We shared memories," Kael said quietly. "The binding mark linked our minds."
"I saw Darius," Elias whispered. "He's not human anymore. Something's inside him—"
"A shadow creature," Kael finished. "The same kind as those wolves, but much more strong. It's been using Darius's body for years."
Seraphina looked between them. "How do you know this?"
"Because I was there when it happened," Kael said. "Three hundred years ago, at the Black Temple. I was just a boy. The creature needed a strong body, and Darius offered himself gladly."
"Why would he do that?" Elias asked.
Kael's face darkened. "Power. The shadow promised to make him the strongest Alpha who ever lived."
A noise outside made them all freeze. Seraphina drew her dagger, moving quietly to the cave entrance.
"Just a deer," she whispered after a moment.
Kael turned to Elias. "We need to continue your magic lessons. What we saw in those images changes everything. If that shadow thing gets your power..."
"I know," Elias said. "But we only have a few hours until moonrise."
"Then we better not waste time," Kael said. He held out his hand. "Ready to try again?"
Elias stared at Kael's open hand. He remembered the gold and blue light that had spun between them, the strange power it had created.
"Will it happen again? The visions?" he asked.
"I don't know," Kael revealed. "But we need to try. For your father."
Elias took a big breath and reached out. Their fingers touched.
Nothing happened.
"Huh," Elias said, almost disappointed.
"Maybe it was a one-time thing," Seraphina offered.
Kael frowned. "Or maybe..." He gripped Elias's hand more tightly. "Try using your magic now."
Elias closed his eyes, focusing on the tiny light within him. As he let it grow, warmth spread up his arm. When he opened his eyes, blue fire danced across their joined hands, but this time, it didn't turn gold.
"Something's wrong," Kael mumbled. "The binding isn't complete."
A sudden crash outside made them all jump. Seraphina rushed to the cave opening again.
"Pack your things," she hissed. "We have to move. Now."
"What is it?" Elias asked, letting go of Kael's hand. The flame vanished instantly.
"Marcus," she whispered. "And he's not alone."
They grabbed their few things and slipped out the back of the cave, through a narrow crack barely big enough for Kael's broad shoulders. Outside, the forest was dark and quiet—too quiet.
"This way," Kael whispered, leading them down a secret path.
They moved quietly through the trees, every sense alert for danger. Elias could feel his magic bubbling just under his skin, ready to explode at the smallest threat.
"Wait," Seraphina suddenly said, putting up her hand.
All three froze. Ahead, barely visible in the dark, stood a small wolf with copper fur.
"Luna?" Elias whispered.
The young wolf changed into her human form—a girl no older than twelve with bright copper hair.
"You have to come back to camp," she said quickly. "Something terrible is happening."
"It's a trap," Kael growled.
Luna shook her head furiously. "No! Marcus is hitting everyone! He's looking for you, but he's hurting people to make you come out!"
Elias looked at Kael, fear rising in his chest. "We can't let innocent people die because of me."
Kael's face was torn. "We can't fight him yet. Your magic isn't ready."
"Then teach me now!" Elias demanded. "Right here, right now."
"There's no time—"
"Make time!" Elias's eyes flashed white with power. "People are dying, Kael!"
Kael stared at him for a long moment. Then, without notice, he grabbed Elias by the shoulders and pulled him close.
"Remember when you lifted the water drops?" he said anxiously. "You need to do that with your fire, but inside your body. Keep it limited, controlled. Don't let it all out at once."
Their faces were inches apart. Elias could feel Kael's breath on his face.
"I don't know if I can," he whispered.
"You can," Kael said strongly. "I've seen your strength, Elias."
Something changed in that moment. The fear in Elias's heart gave way to resolution. He nodded.
"Let's go save our people," he said.
They ran back toward the camp, Luna leading the way. As they got closer, they could hear screaming and see flashes of light through the trees. The smell of smoke filled the air.
When they reached the edge of the camp, they stopped in fear.
Half the tents were on fire. Wolves ran in all directions, some fighting, some running. In the middle of it all stood Marcus—or what was left of him. His body now seemed made completely of swirling darkness, except for his glowing red eyes. Around his neck hung Elias's silver locket.
"ELIAS NIGHTSHADE!" Marcus roared, his voice no longer human. "FACE ME OR WATCH THEM ALL DIE!"
Elias felt rage rising inside him, hot and dangerous. His magic reacted, blue flames erupting over his skin.
"Elias, wait," Kael grabbed his arm. "Remember—controlled, not explosive."
Elias took a deep breath, trying to rein in his power. The flames retreated, collecting around his hands.
"Stay with Seraphina," he told Luna, who nodded terrified.
Then Elias stepped out of the trees, into the open. "I'm here!" he yelled. "Let everyone go!"
Marcus turned, his shadow-face twisting into a smile. "The Omega arrives at last."
"What do you want?" Elias urged, moving closer. He could feel Kael and Seraphina following behind him, staying hidden in the shadows.
"You know what I want," Marcus said. He held up the ring. "This is just a taste of your father's pain. Every minute, every second, he suffers."
"Let him go," Elias said. "Take me instead."
Marcus laughed. "That's the plan, little Omega." He snapped his fingers, and a whirling black portal opened beside him. "Step through, and your father lives."
Elias looked at the portal. Inside, he could see glimpses of the Black Temple—the same one from Kael's dreams.
"It's a trap," Kael whispered from behind him. "Once you're there, he'll drain your power and kill you both."
Elias knew Kael was right. But what choice did they have?
Suddenly, an idea hit him. He turned his head slightly, keeping his eyes on Marcus. "The binding," he whispered. "We need to complete it."
Kael tensed. "We don't know what will happen."
"It's our only chance," Elias insisted.
Before Kael could argue, Elias reached back and grabbed his hand. The moment their skin touched, blue and gold light burst between them. This time, instead of fighting it, Elias leaned into the link, pulling Kael's power into himself.
The gold light spread up his arms, mixing with his blue fire. As their power combined, Elias felt something snap into place—like two puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly.
Marcus's red eyes widened. "What are you doing?" he growled.
Elias stepped forward, Kael's hand firmly in his. Their binding mark glowed brightly, forming a shield of gold and blue light around them.
"Something you didn't expect," Elias said, his voice stronger than he'd ever heard it.
He raised his free hand, and a stream of golden fire shot toward Marcus. The shadow creature screamed as the fire touched him, parts of his darkness burning away to show glimpses of the real Marcus underneath.
For one hopeful moment, it seemed to be working. Then Marcus reached up and gripped the locket around his neck. Dark energy poured from it, surrounding him in a shell of his own.
"You think your little light show can stop me?" he laughed. "Darius will be so pleased when I bring him both of you."
The portal behind him grew bigger. Shadow tentacles shot out, wrapping around Elias's ankles before he could respond. They pulled, pulling him toward the swirling darkness.
"Elias!" Kael shouted, holding onto him tightly.
Their joined hands began to slip apart as the tentacles pulled harder.
"Don't let go!" Elias cried. He could feel their power weakening as their grip loosened.
The last thing Elias saw was Kael's terrified face as their fingers finally separated. Then darkness took him whole, and he was falling, falling into the world of shadows where Darius—and his father—waited.