Light shattered around them like glass.
It wasn't a smooth teleport. It wasn't even controlled. One moment Bong was clutching Nawin's hand, trying to pull him safely into the magical stream—
and the next moment, space twisted violently and hurled them into darkness.
THUD.
Boog groaned somewhere to Nawin's left.
Jonk cursed.
Donk hit the ground with a heavy breath.
But Bong—
Bong did not move.
Nawin pushed himself up immediately, ignoring the sting in his knees. His eyes adjusted to the dimness. They were underground—inside a cavern carved by magic, with dust swirling in the faint glow above them.
"Bong?" Nawin whispered sharply. "Bong!"
He found him slumped on one knee, shaking uncontrollably, one hand pressed to the ground for balance. Gold light flickered weakly under his skin, flashing like a dying spark.
Boog scrambled closer, panic in his eyes. "Bong, talk to us!"
Jonk lit a flame in his palm to illuminate the space. His eyes widened. "His aura is collapsing."
Donk crouched and touched Bong's shoulder gently. "His magic was stretched too thin. Teleporting with a soulmate… always drains ten times the normal power."
Nawin froze. "So he's weak because of me?"
Bong shook his head weakly. "No. I'm weak… because I love too loudly."
"Nonsense," Nawin whispered fiercely and cupped Bong's cheeks. "Stay with me."
Bong managed a tiny smile. "Always."
But the cavern suddenly trembled.
Stone dust fell from the ceiling.
The runes carved into the walls pulsed with faint light.
The air turned cold.
Jonk stood immediately. "Something's here."
Donk rose beside him, tense. "Something old."
Nawin pulled Bong into his arms instinctively, shielding him—even though he knew Bong was the stronger one between them. But Bong didn't argue. He rested weakly against Nawin's chest, eyes half-closed.
A slow, echoing set of footsteps came from the deeper darkness of the cave.
One by one.
Measured.
Unhurried.
Nawin felt Bong tense slightly in his arms. "Stay behind me…" Bong whispered.
Nawin held him tighter. "I'm not leaving you."
A figure stepped into the faint glow created by Jonk's flame.
A tall man, draped in a cloak that looked like shadows woven into fabric. His face was hidden by a hood. Strange patterns glowed faintly on his arms—runes older than anything Nawin had ever seen.
Boog inhaled sharply. "This aura… is not human."
The cloaked figure looked at them with mild interest.
"Three young wizards," he said calmly. His gaze drifted to Nawin—then to Bong in his arms. "And a human whose energy is… unusually bright."
Nawin stiffened.
Bong forced himself upright despite his trembling limbs and stepped in front of Nawin.
"You stay away from him."
The stranger tilted his head as if amused. "Your magic is unstable. You can't protect anyone like that."
Jonk's flame burned brighter. "State your name."
Donk raised his magic in a defensive stance. "And your purpose."
The stranger ignored them.
Instead, he pointed directly at Nawin.
"I need the human."
Nawin's stomach dropped.
Bong stepped back in front of him instantly, golden light flickering dangerously across his skin.
"You can't have him," Bong growled.
The stranger sighed softly. "Predictable."
Then he lifted his hand.
The cave walls trembled violently as dark energy blasted from his palm—straight toward Nawin.
"NAWIN!!" Bong screamed.
With the last of his strength, Bong threw himself between Nawin and the attack.
The explosion cracked the cavern walls.
Bong slammed into the stone hard, sliding to the ground. His golden aura sputtered, flickering like a flame about to be snuffed out.
"BOOOONG!!" Nawin cried and rushed to him.
Nawin fell to his knees, lifting Bong's upper body onto his lap. Tears blurred his vision instantly.
"Bong—Bong, please open your eyes. Please!"
Bong's eyes were half-open, barely conscious. "Nawin… are you hurt…?"
"No! I'm fine! You're the one—" Nawin choked. "You shouldn't have done that—"
"Couldn't… let him touch you…" Bong whispered weakly. "Not my Nawin…"
The stranger lowered his arm, unimpressed. "Pathetic devotion. If you surrender the human, I'll let your wizard die quickly."
Nawin froze.
His breath stopped.
Then—
Something inside him snapped.
Not with fear.
With something deeper.
Hotter.
Protective.
Golden light surged under Nawin's skin—bright, uncontrollable, radiating outward like a second heartbeat bursting free.
Jonk's eyes widened.
Donk stumbled back.
"What—what's happening to him?!" Boog gasped.
The stranger's voice dropped in shock. "This is impossible… humans cannot channel wizard light—"
Nawin slowly lifted his head.
His eyes glowed bright gold.
His skin illuminated with the same shimmer as Bong's.
The air around him vibrated in waves of magic.
Nawin whispered, voice trembling with raw power:
"You touched the man I love."
The cavern shook violently.
The bond between Bong and Nawin ignited—brighter than ever before.
And the stranger finally stepped back.
For the first time—
He sounded afraid.
"