GALE'S CONVERGENCE

Two days had passed since the unsettling incident involving Gale, Theron, and the dark figure. In the castle's dimly lit room, Gale, Sylva, and Theron sat around a large table strewn with maps and documents, each piece of evidence meticulously examined.

"We've gone over every clue," Gale said, frustration evident in his voice. "But nothing seems to connect."

Sylva nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "The woods is the only place we haven't thoroughly searched. If there is something out there, we need to find it."

Theron, seated at the edge of the table, seemed distracted. "Let's check it out again," he suggested, his tone oddly insistent. "Maybe we missed something."

Suddenly, a guard burst into the room, breathless and wide-eyed. "There's been another sighting of a dark figure in the woods," he announced. "Just now."

Gale and Sylva exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. "Let's go," Gale said, standing up.

They ventured into the woods again, the afternoon sun casting long shadows through the trees. As they moved deeper, the atmosphere grew thick with tension. Despite their thorough search, they found nothing unusual.

"Anything?" Sylva asked, glancing at Gale and Theron.

Gale shook his head. "Nothing. It's like there's nothing here."

Sylva sighed, looking around once more. "Theron, did you see anything?"

Theron squinted his eyes, staring intently into the shadows where he thought he saw something move. He hesitated for a moment before replying. "No, nothing. Must have been my imagination," he responded.

Gale frowned but nodded. "Alright, let's head back then."

As night fell, the castle was cloaked in silence. Theron lay in his quarters, unable to shake the image of the shadowy figure. His unease gnawed at him, and finally, he couldn't resist any longer. Quietly, he slipped out and made his way back to the woods, determined to uncover the truth.

The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting eerie patterns on the ground. Every step felt heavier, each sound amplified in the stillness of the night. He was alone, or so he thought.

Theron saw it again – the shadowy figure darting between the trees. His heart pounded as he gave chase, the figure always just out of reach. "Who sent you?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the woods. "I don't recognize you!"

The chase led him to a small clearing, the figure stopping abruptly. Theron approached cautiously, his breath coming in ragged gasps. As he reached out, the figure dissolved into nothingness, revealing it to be an illusion.

"What's going on?" Theron demanded, spinning around to find Gale stepping out from behind a tree.

"I knew you were behind the disappearances," Gale said coldly.

Theron's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? What are you saying, Gale? I was just chasing a shadowy figure! He must be the one behind it!"

Gale stepped closer, intensity radiating from him. "That figure was an illusion cast by Sylva."

Sylva then emerged from the shadows, disappointment etched on her face. "We heard everything, Theron. You said you didn't recognize it."

Gale's voice cut through the tension. "But you must have recognized the one we fought two days ago, don't you?"

Theron scoffed, frustration bubbling over. "Are you dumb? That figure was trying to kill us both! Have you forgotten?"

"Exactly!" Gale shot back, stepping forward. "That's what it looked like. But maybe you were putting on an act. I sensed that creature was far stronger than we are, and yet it fled. Why? The logical explanation is that it came to deliver something—something you know about, Theron, something only an accomplice would."

Theron shook his head violently, desperation creeping into his voice. "What's wrong with you, Gale? Why are you accusing me?"

"Because it all makes sense," Gale replied, his tone unyielding. "The master of this realm, King Lorian—his abilities rival Eldrin's. And yet, he was kidnapped. Only someone like Shade or an equivalent Master could pull off a feat like that, don't you think so, Archon Theron the Stormbringer? You're the second strongest Archon in our realm, right after Archon Thorn the Master of Crystal."

Theron smirked violently, but it was shaky. "So that means you can be accused too. You have Aeris's strength afterall."

Gale nodded solemnly. "True, but that's not the crux of my argument. I've sensed darkness radiating from you multiple times. Remember our first encounter with the Specters? There was a connection, a pull between you and them that I couldn't shake off. And let's be honest: Shade doesn't operate that way. He's been quiet for a while now. His moves are calculated, never desperate. Ever since we left, and for the past months we've been here, he still hasn't made any drastic moves yet, even when it did appear, it was rarely alarming. That made me realize Shade isn't behind the disappearances here, at least not directly. I was able to confirm this through Sylva's help by contacting home."

Theron's frustration boiled over. "That doesn't prove anything!"

"The disappearances always occurred during dramatic climate shifts," Gale continued, raising his voice. "Most wouldn't notice the subtle changes, but someone proficient with air would. I've been observing those shifts for months, feeling the air vibrations each time. It was manipulation—by someone with our rare air abilities. It's a feat only we can achieve."

"You're only digging your own grave with that logic!" Theron shot back, fists clenched.

Gale pressed on, his anger palpable. "Oh, and what about the last piece of evidence?"

"What evidence?" Theron inquired, brow furrowed.

"You were able to read the inscriptions on the scroll fragments we found. Eldrinor suspected you and confirmed that only those with darkness elemental powers like himself should be able to decipher them. He was surprised that you understood their meaning, which raised his suspicions. And last I checked, you wield air elemental powers, Stormbringer!"

Theron was visibly taken aback, his usual composure faltering for a moment as he realized he had slipped up.

"And you were the one who found the compartment where we discovered the scrolls. It's as if you wanted us to find it for some twisted reason!" Gale's voice rose, frustration boiling over.

"My energy reacted repulsively to those scrolls, yet they clung to you. You harbor two elemental gifts: air and darkness, don't you? That's the only logical explanation for how you could orchestrate these disappearances, even against someone of King Lorian's caliber. Which means you're working for Shade! Do you have anything to say for yourself, Theron?" Gale asked, his voice steady but filled with intensity.

Gale and Sylva's glares were fierce, their anger conspicuous. Sylva then asked angrily, "Where is my father and my people? What have you done to them?"

Theron covered his face, despair twisting into manic laughter. "You've really figured all that out? Impressive. I didn't realize your perception was so keen, nor that you'd trace me."

Gale's expression darkened. "Of course, you wouldn't notice. It was Sylva's concealment ability that gave us the advantage. My air abilities and perception have grown significantly since we met, and you completely underestimated us."

"And what will you do?" Theron challenged, his smirk fading. "Fight your own shadow?"

"I'll fight yours first," Gale shot back, the tension crackling in the air, an invisible storm brewing between them.

Theron smirked, a hint of desperation in his eyes. "Yes, I orchestrated the kidnappings, including King Lorian's. Their elemental abilities are vital for my goals, especially his. I hadn't intended to abduct him initially, but when he came looking around, he practically offered himself on a golden platter. He was strong but weak with empathy—that's what cost him. Every mission I undertook under the pretext of thwarting Shade's influence brought me closer to your father. He was a trusting fool who suspected me but still gave me the benefit of the doubt."

Sylva's fury erupted. "You're a monster!"

But Theron remained unfazed, a cold smile on his lips.

Gale stepped forward, eyes blazing with determination. "So, you're waiting for the kidnappings to be completed?"

Theron's gaze darkened. "They are. All I need to do is connect the scroll fragments and activate the portal. The sacrifice will take effect."

"Then why haven't you done it yet?" Gale demanded.

"Because only those without corrupt dark powers can achieve that," Theron replied. "Initially, I considered tricking Sylva or you into doing it, but you were too unpredictable, Gale. That's why I shifted my focus to Sylva, and that is why I havent kidnapped her yet."

As Theron spoke, Sylva clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with anger. Gale's jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides.

Gale felt disgust wash over him. "And what happens once the portal opens?"

"Eldoria's defenses are impenetrable—probably the strongest across all realms. King Lorian did an excellent job reinforcing them, and even in his weakened state, the force field remains intact. This heritage ability has been passed down for generations, and I suspect Sylva is capable of maintaining it as well. That's why you're trained in sensory abilities—to uphold those defenses one day. Shade almost succeeded once in dominating this realm if not for Aeris."

Gale's eyes narrowed. "So this is where they fought, where my mother nearly ended him. You lied about why she left Elementis."

"Your mother's reluctance to become a successor was true," Theron admitted. "Eldrin and Lorian were good friends, often visiting each other with Aeris. Back then, Queen Stella couldn't conceive for thirty years of marriage. Miraculously, she finally did, but that's how your mother died. Isn't that right, Sylva?"

Sylva's hand flew to her mouth in shock, tears streaming down her face. Her body trembled with grief and anger, unable to speak.

"How do you know all this?" Sylva managed to choke out through tears.

"Because I was Aeris's lover," Theron confessed, a dark pride in his voice. "We visited this realm often, which is how my mission began in this realm. Shade had just turned evil and chose this realm as his first target. He discovered an ancient forbidden scroll capable of breaching any realm's ultimate defense and aimed to claim this one. Aeris was here when he attempted it. She realized the scroll's power and destroyed it during their fight, but Shade fled, barely escaping with his life—and he couldn't retrieve the fragments in the chaos."

Theron's tone shifted, the pride giving way to cold calculation. "Aeris chose to hide the fragments because she couldn't destroy them completely, and she didn't even tell me, her lover where she hid them. That was when I began my search for them. From that moment on, I remained in this realm under the pretext of combating Shade's influence. It took me years to locate the scrolls, but five months ago, I finally found them. With the fragments in hand, I set my plan in motion, beginning with the kidnappings. I needed their elemental energies and an anchor—in this case, Sylva—to piece them together and open the portal. Once that's done, Shade's power will engulf this realm, allowing him to spread his influence even further before we turn our sights on Elementis."

Gale's expression hardened. "So this is where it all began."

Theron shrugged, a glint of madness in his eyes. "Your mother's choice to leave was her own. She was a strong ally, but I had my mission."

Gale's voice was steady, filled with disdain. "Why would you join Shade? What could possibly drive you to side with someone like him?"

Theron's expression hardened, a flicker of ambition igniting in his eyes. "Power, Gale. Pure and simple. Shade embodies ambition, and together, we can reshape all realms. I didn't mind using Aeris to achieve our dreams."

With a twisted smile, he added, "After all, Shade is my best friend."

Gale paused, closing his eyes as realization struck. "I see. So you were heartbroken because she left."

Theron, surprised, stammered, "What did you say?"

"Don't underestimate my perception," Gale warned, his intensity unwavering. "The part about wanting power is true, but that happened after my mum left you, didn't it?"

Theron's expression darkened with rage.

Gale continued, his voice firm, "I sensed the lies in your air movements and the shifts in your breath. What a pathetic excuse you have for your actions. I acknowledge that it must have been painful, but I can't believe you chose this path because of that. Well, whatever your reasons for joining Shade are, it doesn't matter. You need to be brought to justice. And just like with my mother, I will end this Shade business once and for all. I'll find everyone you've kidnapped and finish this—even if it means I have to end you, Theron."

The air crackled with intensity as Gale assumed a battle-ready stance. Theron responded with a manic smile, leaking a dark aura. The impending clash between mentor and trainee was about to begin.