Cold air wrapped around Kael and Lira the moment they stepped through the stone door.
The door closed behind them with a deep, heavy sound.
The light from the refuge vanished.
Only darkness remained.
Lira tightened her grip on Kael's hand.
"Kael… I can't see anything."
Kael moved closer, placing one hand on her back.
"I'm here. Don't let go."
The Seer walked ahead, his steps slow and careful.
"This place is called the Hollow of Bonds," he said.
"It exists outside normal paths. Even the heir avoids it."
Lira swallowed.
"Why?"
The Seer didn't turn back.
"Because this place does not care who you are.
Only what you feel."
As they walked deeper, faint lights began to appear in the darkness.
Not crystals.
Not fire.
Memories.
Lira froze.
She saw a faint image of herself alone, younger, scared.
"Kael… that's me…"
Kael felt a sharp pull in his chest.
He saw his own past too.
Blood.
Chains.
Faces he tried to forget.
The bond reacted instantly.
Lira felt Kael's pain rush into her.
She gasped.
"Kael your memories"
"I know," he said quietly. "I feel yours too."
The Seer stopped.
"This is the first test of this place," he said.
"It forces you to face what you hide.
You cannot block it."
Lira's breathing grew uneven.
"I don't like this…"
Kael turned to her, holding her shoulders.
"Look at me. Not the memories."
She met his eyes.
Her fear softened.
The memories around them faded slightly.
The Seer nodded.
"Good. You're learning."
They moved forward again.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Lira shook.
She stumbled
Kael caught her instantly.
But when he pulled her back
Something was wrong.
Lira felt it first.
"Kael… the bond… it feels… stretched."
Kael felt it too.
Like an invisible hand pulling them apart.
The Seer's voice hardened.
"This place will try to separate you.
Not physically
emotionally."
Lira's heart pounded.
"What happens if it succeeds?"
The Seer answered honestly.
"Then your bond will shatter.
And you may never feel each other again."
Lira's eyes filled with fear.
She grabbed Kael's chest.
"No… Kael… don't let go… please…"
Kael pulled her into his arms.
"I won't. I swear."
The darkness shifted.
A voice—not the Seer's—whispered through the Hollow.
"He will abandon you."
Lira froze.
Kael stiffened.
The voice continued:
"He will choose power over you."
Lira shook her head.
"That's not true…"
But doubt crept in small, dangerous.
Kael felt it through the bond.
He spoke firmly:
"Lira. Listen to me."
She looked up.
"I choose you. Every time. No matter what."
The bond pulsed stronger.
The whisper faded.
The Seer exhaled slowly.
"Good. You resisted."
But then
Another presence stirred.
Heavier.
Colder.
The Seer turned sharply.
"…It noticed you."
Kael tightened his hold on Lira.
"Noticed what?"
The Seer looked into the darkness ahead.
"The Heartbind."
Lira whispered, terrified:
"Kael… something is watching us…"
Kael nodded.
"I feel it."
The darkness parted slightly.
A tall shadow formed in the distance
Not attacking.
Not moving.
Just watching.
The Seer spoke quietly:
"This is only the beginning."
Kael's eyes hardened.
"Then we keep going."
Lira pressed her forehead to his chest.
"Together."
The shadow shifted.
And the Hollow began its real test.