The Nameless Heir-Chapter 46: His shadow, Her Guardian

He sat on his father’s throne. One leg crossed over the other, cheek resting against his fist. His eyes were cold.

Surrounding him were monsters, companions, his knights—his loyal servants.

Kael sat in silence, thinking to himself.

"If I could bring out the deep flaw in humans... can I maybe do it with human emotions too?"

He thought about it for a moment—until his mother’s voice broke through.

Her voice was shaky.

"What are those?" she asked. Words barely came out of her mouth.

He got off the throne slowly. His eyes glowed crimson red. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Mother, they are the human flaws. All I did... is just brought them out."

She looked terrified. Proud at the same time.

"Well, Mother. I have to go now."

As he said that, the sins all vanished into his shadow. She gave him one last hug.

Then—he vanished.

He reappeared in Headmaster Nyx’s room.

"Is it ready?" he asked.

"You are here early," she replied.

"Yes. Now is it ready?" His voice was cold and tired.

She handed him a gold box.

When he opened it, it was black obsidian. Concentrated with power. As soon as the box opened, his shadow started crawling upward—rising like smoke, acting hungry. It flickered with power. It was filled with essence from the Primordial Deities.

He picked it up.

"Are you sure about this?" Nyx asked.

He grinned. "You see... I’ve seen her be killed in front of my eyes countless times." He grabbed it. "I will be damned if I let that bastard touch her this time." He stuck his tongue out, placed the obsidian on it, and closed his mouth. "I will die before I let that happen." Then he swallowed it.

At first, nothing.

Then—he felt a stab in his heart.

"Put a barrier around this room. Now!" he shouted, gripping his chest tightly.

He dropped to one knee. Blood poured from his eyes and mouth. The power tore through his veins like wildfire.

He was mixing his own energy with theirs. Slowly. Trying to find a balance.

But it was no use.

The godly energy began exploding outward, trying to escape his body. The power shook the entire school. The sky trembled.

Nyx stepped forward to interfere—

But Pride appeared in front of her. Eyes glowing.

"Your presence is unworthy, broken god. You will not approach my king."

Her eyes filled with fear. Horror.

"Kael... what are those things—"

Before she could finish, the rest of the sins appeared, surrounding him. Without a word, they cloaked him in black ink-like substance, forming a cocoon to keep the energy contained.

Inside, the energy thrashed violently.

It wanted out.

The cocoon pulsed—round and swollen. Stretching thin like a balloon under pressure. Every time the power tried to break free, it swelled more, trembling like it might burst at any second.

Inside the cocoon, all the power that tried to escape was trapped. So Kael started to pour out all his own power, trying to mix it with the deities’ power.

Once it all mixed, he forced himself to consume it all.

He didn’t care how much it hurt.

He needed power.

He wanted the power to protect Liz.

After consuming it all, his heart started to pound faster and faster—

Until it just stopped.

Silence.

He was curled up in a ball.

Thump-thump.

Thump-thump.

The sound—it didn’t come from Kael.

No.

It came from the ring.

He could feel her heartbeat. As if she sensed something was wrong. Her heart beat faster. And faster. The beats traveled through his body. He could hear it.

Then—his eyes snapped open.

Slowly, he came out of the cocoon, wearing the coat that flowed like shadowy flame.

He looked at Nyx, who was still speechless.

"How did you get this strong in so little time?"

He smiled as the coat slowly vanished into the air. He lifted his hand and stared at it. Then murmured:

"This is not enough. I need to be stronger—strong enough to be in the same league as all the gods combined. I need more power."

Slowly, the sins vanished into his shadow.

Nyx stepped forward.

"Why are you doing all this, Kael?" Her tone was soft, gentle, full of concern. She added, "You don’t have to go this far." She grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Yes, you’re right. I don’t have to."

He paused.

"I need to do this, Nyx."

His voice came out cracked. Broken.

Then he melted into the shadows.

"Thank you for everything, Goddess Nyx. I will make sure to pay you back tenfold."

And just like that, he vanished.

He reappeared in his room—where Liz was still sleeping.

She twitched. Her forehead was pouring sweat.

He realized she was probably having a bad dream again.

He looked at the ring.

He understood now—the rings his mother gave them were connected to each other.

That made him feel worse.

It meant his mother knew how his father felt... all the way until the end.

He moved closer, gently reaching out his hand. He started patting her head.

Slowly, her heart rate went back to normal.

Kael’s voice was cold.

"Wrath. Come out."

As soon as he said that, Wrath appeared—kneeling on one knee.

Kael spoke again.

"Wrath. You are her protector.

Anyone who tries to harm her—tear them to pieces."

He looked him in the eyes. His eyes glowed red with rage.

"Do not show mercy. Annihilate anyone who dares lay a finger on her."

Then Wrath disappeared into Liz’s shadow—becoming her guardian.

After that, Kael sat down again and gently brushed her hair with his hand. His fingers moved slowly, like he was afraid to wake her.

His touch stirred her.

Her eyes slowly opened.

Without a word, she reached out, grabbed his hand, and pulled it toward her face. She pressed his hand beneath her cheek, holding it tight with both hands—like she was scared he might disappear if she let go.

He didn’t fight it.

He lay back down, slid his hand behind her head, and pulled her close to his chest.

Then wrapped his arms around her—holding her.

Her body pressed softly against his. One hand rested over his chest.

His eyes slowly closed.

Until—

A knock.

He groaned, moved her hand off his chest, and opened the door.

It was Caius.

For a moment, Kael just blinked.

Caius stared at Liz in the bed. Then back at Kael. Then at Liz. Then Kael again.

"...Bro."

"Nothing happened," Kael sighed. "She was just tired."

"Uh-huh," Caius said. "And you just accidentally cuddled her until morning?"

"I was tired too."

"Sure. Totally normal. You two just... fell asleep like a tragic romance movie."

Liz sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Hey, Caius... what you doing here so early?"

"What am I—What are YOU doing in HIS room?"

"It’s fine," she mumbled. "Nothing happened."

"Do people just keep saying that every time I walk in on you two?" Caius muttered.

Kael and Liz both laughed.

Then Kael asked, "Why are you up so early? Why do you look so happy?"

"Because I’m excited!" Caius said, holding up a bag. "Snacks. Drinks. Victory breakfast. I’m ready for whatever today is."

"Alright. Let me take Liz back to her room."

"Fine," she mumbled.

Kael scooped her up.

She didn’t say anything this time. Just wrapped her arms around his neck.

He disappeared—

Then reappeared in her room.

"Okay. Let’s get ready."

She nodded.

He kissed her on the lips before vanishing again—and popped back behind Caius.

"BOO."

"AHH—WHY—WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?!" Caius shouted, stumbling forward.

Kael smirked. He looked at him quietly.

He realized Caius had changed. He’d grown.

And Kael would feel bad if something ever happened to him.

"Envy," Kael whispered.

She appeared silently. Waiting.

"From now on, you protect him.

Anyone who tries to hurt Caius—kill them.

No mercy."

She nodded and sank into his shadow.

"You are his shadow now. His guardian."

Kael gave him a firm pat on the back.

"Go get dressed. I’ll meet you outside."

Caius walked off, still shaken.

Kael turned and looked at the Greek armor.

It was okay. Bronze. Basic design. Breastplate. Shoulder guards. Boots. Weapon of their choice.

He put it on—for now.

They all met up a bit later—and Kael burst out laughing.

Caius raised an eyebrow. "What’s so funny?"

Kael pointed. "You. You guys look like a background character from a bad play."

"Dumbass, you look just like us," Caius muttered.

Kael laughed harder.

"I KNOW, we all look so stupid."

He couldn’t stop laughing—until Liz gave him a look.

"I’m sorry, Sunshine," he said, trying to hold back a grin.

They all looked ridiculous in the Greek armor.

Kael couldn’t tell if they were students... or a bad history play.

But for the first time in a long while, he smiled.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Yes," they replied.

"Let’s go."

Just like that, they walked outside—

Where the rest of the team was waiting, surrounded by other students and teachers,

As if they were being sent off to war.

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