Chapter 55

The fire crackled in the center of the dimly lit chamber, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. Axe sat across from Ingrid, his mind racing as he tried to process everything she had just said. Beside him, Ally leaned forward, eyes fixed on the town record keeper. Beliard stood against the far wall, his arms crossed, his usual grin replaced with a rare look of seriousness.

Ingrid had been working tirelessly, poring over ancient texts, searching for any information she could find about the orb Polar used and the dark magic he wielded. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she explained what little she had uncovered.

“There is not much,” Ingrid admitted, her voice low. “The orb Polar possesses is ancient, older than any records we have here. What I have found only hints at its true power, but it is clear that it demands a heavy toll from those who use it for evil.”

Axe’s fists clenched at his sides. "A toll? What kind of toll?" His voice was rough, strained from days of imprisonment. He could feel the magic that bound him—Polar's twisted spell, strong and unyielding. But he was not about to give up. Not now.

Ingrid shook her head. "It is unclear. The texts speak in riddles, but the consensus is that the orb takes something vital from the user. The stronger the evil intent, the more extreme the cost."

Axe leaned back slightly, his gaze hard. "So, eventually, it will take something from Polar?"

Ingrid nodded slowly. "Yes, but it could be anything. His health, his mind, his very soul. However, this does not help us in the short term. Polar will not be easily defeated by his own magic, not yet. We need another way."

"And you think you have found one?" Ally asked, her voice edged with hope. She had always been the more optimistic of the siblings, though Axe could see the worry in her eyes.

Ingrid’s lips pressed together in a tight line. "I have found a spell. It is ancient and incredibly dangerous. It is called the Breaking Light, and it is designed to counter the magic Polar wields—the Raza. If we can perform it properly, we can sever the bond he has with the orb, stripping him of its power.”

Beliard stepped forward, his brow furrowed in concern. "And what is the catch, Ingrid? Spells like this do not come without a price either."

Ingrid met his gaze, her expression grim. "You are right. The Breaking Light requires immense magical strength to perform. It will drain the caster, possibly to the point of death."

The room fell into a heavy silence. Axe’s stomach twisted at the thought of anyone paying such a price, but he knew they did not have many options. Polar was too powerful, too entrenched in his dark magic. They had to try something.

Ally was the first to break the silence. "We cannot ask you to do that, Ingrid. You have already done enough. We will find another way—"

"No," Ingrid cut her off firmly. "This is not about me. This is about stopping Polar before he tightens his grip on the kingdom. The spell may drain me, but it could be enough to weaken him, to give you all the chance you need."

Axe shook his head, his voice rough. "I will not let you sacrifice yourself, Ingrid. There has to be another way. We need you."

"There is no other way," Ingrid replied softly, but her tone was unyielding. "This is the path that has been laid out for us. I have studied the texts; I know the risks. But I also know what is at stake. The kingdom. Your freedom. Velvet."

At the mention of Velvet, Axe’s heart skipped a beat. He had not seen her since the night she was pushed from the cliff, and the thought of her somewhere out there, fighting her own battle, tore at him. He needed to break free. He needed to find her.

"So," Beliard said, stepping closer to the fire, his tone more casual but his eyes sharp. "How do we catch Polar off guard? He is always two steps ahead, especially with that orb of his. We cannot just storm in and hope he is not expecting us."

Ingrid pulled a thin, worn parchment from her robes and unrolled it on the table. "The key is the timing. The Breaking Light spell requires a precise moment to be effective—when the orb’s power is at its weakest."

"When is that?" Ally asked, leaning in closer.

"At dawn, just before the first light touches the orb," Ingrid explained. "In those few moments, its defenses are vulnerable. Polar might not even realize it himself."

Axe’s eyes narrowed in thought. "So we strike at dawn. Use the spell, weaken Polar, and take the orb from him."

"It will not be that simple," Ingrid warned. "Polar has defenses—magical and physical. He has surrounded himself with loyal guards and traps to protect the orb. We will need to divide our efforts. Someone will have to distract him while the spell is cast."

Beliard snorted. "Well, I have always been good at being a distraction."

Axe managed a wry smile at that, but the weight of their situation pressed down on him. The plan was risky, and Ingrid was putting her life on the line. They had no choice but to trust in the magic, in each other, and hope that they could take Polar by surprise.

“I will go after Polar myself,” Axe said, steel in his voice. “If anyone can distract him long enough, it is me. I know how he thinks.”

Ally reached over, placing a hand on his arm. “Axe, you are not doing this alone. We will all be there. But you know as well as I do, we cannot risk anything happening to you—Velvet needs you.”

At the mention of Velvet again, Axe felt a strange pull inside him, a connection he could not explain. His bond with her had always been strong, but lately, it had felt like more than just their shared history. It felt… magical.

And then, in the silence that followed, Axe heard it.

A faint whisper, barely audible, but unmistakably real.

His heart skipped a beat as the soft, distant sound of Velvet’s voice filled his mind.

"Axe my love… I am here…"

His eyes widened, his breath catching. It was not just a memory. She was reaching out to him. Somewhere, she was calling to him.

Axe turned to Ingrid, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I just heard her. Velvet.”

Ingrid’s eyes widened in surprise, but before she could respond, Axe stood, his pulse racing. His sister and Beliard exchanged glances, concern written across their faces.

“What did you hear?” Ally asked urgently.

“She is close,” Axe said, his voice shaky with both hope and fear. “She is coming. We have to be ready. We have to end this. Now.