The creature lunged forward the moment it saw Kael and Lira.
Its limbs bent in strange angles, moving faster than something that broken should ever move.
Lira clung to Kael's arm, shaking.
"Kael—Kael—it's coming!"
"I see it," Kael said, stepping in front of her.
The creature slammed one claw down
Kael blocked with his sword
CLANG!
The force pushed Kael back a few steps.
Lira gasped.
"Kael are you hurt?!"
"No," Kael said quickly. "Stay behind me."
The Seer called from behind them:
"This creature feeds on mixed power!
Do NOT let it get close to Lira!"
Kael didn't need the warning.
He could feel it the creature's hunger was aimed only at Lira's light.
The creature screeched, red eyes twitching wildly as it tilted its head at Lira.
Lira froze.
"Kael… it's staring at me…"
Kael stepped forward, blocking her completely.
"You want her?
Then you go through me."
The creature twisted its neck and charged again.
Kael met it head-on.
Steel clashed against bone.
Black sparks spilled from Kael's shadow-covered sword.
But the creature was faster this time—its second claw swiped under Kael's guard
"Kael!!"
Kael barely dodged, the claw scraping the stone where his foot had been a moment before.
Lira felt the fear hit her chest so hard she almost fell.
Kael heard her breathe sharply
and suddenly he felt her fear inside him.
It stabbed through his chest like a shock.
"Lira don't panic! I can feel everything you're feeling!"
"I-I'm trying!" she cried. "I'm sorry"
"It's fine," Kael said quickly. "Just stay with me!"
But her fear kept rising.
And as Lira's fear rose
the bond reacted.
Silver light burst from Lira—wild and uncontrolled.
The Seer shouted:
"Lira! Calm your heart! Your fear is empowering the creature!"
"What?!" Lira cried.
The creature twitched and screamed louder
red cracks glowed brighter under its skin.
Kael's eyes widened.
"It's feeding on your fear!"
Lira covered her mouth, trembling uncontrollably.
"Kael… I can't stop it… I'm so scared…"
Kael grabbed her shoulders, desperate.
"Lira look at me! Don't look at it. Look at me!"
She forced her eyes up to his.
Her fear hit him again through the bond stronger this time—and Kael staggered back slightly.
But he didn't let go.
"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," he whispered.
Lira's breathing slowed just a little.
But the creature didn't wait.
It jumped again, aiming directly at Lira.
Kael roared
"NO!"
Shadow burst from him, forming a shield in front of Lira.
The creature slammed into it
BOOM!
The chamber shook.
Crystals rattled.
The Seer steadied himself against the wall.
Kael gritted his teeth, pushing back with all his strength.
The creature shrieked, clawing madly at the shadow shield.
Lira held Kael's back, crying softly.
"Kael… please don't get hurt… please…"
Kael felt her fear turn into something else
warmth.
Strength.
Hope.
The bond pulsed.
Hard.
A wave of mixed power exploded from Kael and Lira together
Silver and black spiraling around them.
The creature stumbled back, shrieking in pain.
The Seer's voice echoed:
"YES! Use the bond! It's your weapon!"
Kael tightened his grip on Lira's hand.
"Lira… give me your strength."
She nodded, tears falling but heart steadying.
Together
Kael swung his sword.
Lira's light flowed into the blade.
And a beam of silver-black power shot forward
CRASH!!
The beam hit the creature directly, sending it flying into the stone wall.
The monster let out a final, broken scream
Then went completely still.
Lira collapsed to her knees, shaking.
"It's… it's dead?"
Kael knelt beside her, holding her tightly.
"We did it. Together."
She buried her face in his chest.
"I felt everything, Kael… your fear… your anger… your pain I thought I would break"
Kael pulled her close, stroking her hair gently.
"You didn't break.
You fought beside me."
The Seer approached, examining the creature's body.
"Your bond reacted stronger than I expected," he said quietly.
"You two are reaching the Heartbind faster than any pair I have seen."
Kael kissed the top of Lira's head gently.
She whispered, voice trembling:
"Kael… I don't want to lose you. Not ever."
Kael held her tighter.
"You won't.
I promise you.
As long as we stay together… nothing will take us."
The Seer looked at them heavily.
"You say that now.
But the heir… will not let this bond exist peacefully."
Lira's fingers tightened around Kael's shirt.
Kael didn't look away from her.
"Then let him come," he whispered.
"We'll face him."