Villain of Dominion

Kael emerged from the depths of the citadel with a newfound resolve, though the unease still gnawed at him. He would deal with Aeron first. Once the rebellion was crushed, he would find a way to stop whatever darkness he had awakened. But as he ascended the grand staircase leading back to the throne room, he was greeted by an unexpected sight.Seraphine stood in the hall, speaking in hushed tones to one of the council members—Morwen, the Mistress of Illusions. They didn't notice him at first, and Kael slowed his pace, listening carefully."...we can't afford to wait any longer," Seraphine was saying. "Kael's losing control. The darkness inside him is growing stronger, and if he falls…"Morwen nodded, her expression tense. "I've seen it too. The magic he's using—none of us understand its true nature. If he loses himself to it, the entire empire could fall with him."Kael's heart pounded in his chest. Betrayal. The very thought of it made his blood boil. Seraphine, his most trusted lieutenant, was conspiring against him. After everything they had been through, after all the battles they had fought side by side, she had turned on him.He stepped forward, his presence suddenly impossible to ignore. Seraphine and Morwen spun around, their faces pale as they saw him."My lord," Seraphine said quickly, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "We were just discussing—""You were discussing my downfall," Kael interrupted, his voice dangerously low. "Did you think I wouldn't hear? Did you think you could plot behind my back?"Seraphine met his gaze, her expression hardening. "Kael, listen to me. We're not plotting against you. We're trying to protect you. You've changed. The magic you're using—it's taking you over. We need to stop it before it's too late."Kael's eyes burned with fury. "Too late? You think you can save me from myself? You think you know what I'm dealing with?"Seraphine stepped forward, her voice softening. "I know more than you think. I've seen the toll it's taken on you. You're stronger than this, Kael. You don't need to rely on that darkness."But Kael could no longer hear reason. All he saw was betrayal—Seraphine, the one person he had trusted above all others, conspiring with the council to undermine him. His hand clenched at his side, magic sparking at his fingertips."You think you can defy me?" he growled, his voice growing darker. "You think you can save me? I am beyond saving."With a swift motion, Kael unleashed a blast of energy that sent Seraphine and Morwen crashing against the stone walls. Morwen slumped to the floor, unconscious, but Seraphine struggled to her feet, her face a mask of pain and betrayal."Kael," she whispered, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "This… isn't you."Kael stepped closer, his eyes glowing with the dark power that now coursed through him. "This is exactly who I am."As Seraphine collapsed to the ground, unconscious but alive, Kael stood over her, his breath ragged. He could feel the darkness inside him growing stronger, feeding off his rage, his fear, his loneliness.He was alone now. Truly alone.But it didn't matter.He had a war to win.