The chamber slowly grew quiet again.
The creature's body lay still against the stone wall, its red glow fading away.
Lira stayed close to Kael, her fingers still gripping his shirt.
"Kael… my heart won't calm down," she whispered.
Kael held her gently.
"I know. I can feel it too."
The Seer knelt beside the dead creature, studying the marks on its skin.
"This confirms it," he said.
"Confirms what?" Kael asked.
The Seer stood up, his voice heavy.
"The heir has begun his moves."
Lira's breath caught.
"But he didn't come himself," she said.
"No," the Seer replied.
"But this creature was sent on purpose.
Not to kill you."
Kael frowned.
"Then why send it?"
The Seer looked directly at Lira.
"To test the bond.
To see how you react under fear."
Lira felt a chill run through her body.
"So… he was watching?"
"Yes," the Seer said.
"Not with his eyes… but through the world itself.
The heir can sense strong bonds from far away."
Kael clenched his fists.
"So every time we fight together… he learns more about us."
The Seer nodded.
"That is why he is dangerous."
Lira suddenly pressed a hand to her chest.
"Kael… wait…"
Kael felt it instantly.
A strange pull inside the bond.
Not pain.
Not fear.
Something… wrong.
"What is it?" Kael asked quickly.
"I don't know," Lira whispered.
"But it feels like… something touched the bond. Just for a second."
The Seer's posture stiffened.
"That's not good."
Kael stepped closer to Lira.
"Can you tell where it came from?"
Lira closed her eyes, focusing.
"…North," she said softly.
"Very far away."
The Seer exhaled slowly.
"That direction leads to the capital."
Kael's eyes darkened.
"So he really is watching us."
The Seer nodded.
"The heir has noticed your Heartbind.
This means he will act soon."
Lira looked up at Kael, fear mixing with trust.
"Kael… what if he tries to break us without fighting?"
Kael placed his forehead against hers.
"Then we won't let him."
The Seer interrupted quietly.
"You must understand something important."
They both turned to him.
"The heir does not fight with force first.
He fights with doubt."
Lira swallowed.
"He'll try to make us afraid of each other…?"
"Yes," the Seer said.
"He will twist memories. Spread lies.
Use people you care about."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"That won't work."
The Seer looked at him seriously.
"Confidence is good.
But overconfidence kills."
Lira squeezed Kael's hand.
"We'll listen," she said softly.
The Seer nodded.
"Good. Because starting now… you cannot stay here."
Lira's eyes widened.
"But this place is hidden!"
"It was," the Seer replied.
"But the heir has touched your bond.
That means this refuge is no longer safe."
Kael frowned.
"Where do we go?"
The Seer turned toward a sealed stone door at the back of the chamber.
"To a place even the heir avoids."
Lira felt her chest tighten.
"Why would he avoid it?"
The Seer placed his hand on the door.
"Because it is where bonds are either perfected…
or destroyed."
Kael exchanged a look with Lira.
She nodded slowly.
"If that's the only way to survive… we'll go."
The Seer pushed the door open.
Cold air rushed out.
Darkness waited beyond.
The Seer spoke one last warning:
"Once you enter…
there is no turning back."
Kael took Lira's hand firmly.
"We're ready."
Together, they stepped forward
Into the place that would decide the future of their bond.