Kael stayed on one knee, breathing slowly.
His chest rose and fell, steady but heavy.
Lira held his face with both hands, her tears falling onto his cheeks.
"Kael… say something… please…"
He tried.
Nothing came out.
Only silence.
Lira's heart broke at that moment.
She shook her head again and again.
"No… no… this isn't fair…"
Kael reached up and wiped her tears with his thumb.
His touch was gentle.
Reassuring.
Even without words, she felt him saying:
I'm still here.
The Seer stood nearby, watching carefully.
"The Hollow takes what you rely on most," he said.
"For Kael… it was his voice."
Lira looked at him angrily.
"Give it back!"
The Seer shook his head.
"This place does not return gifts so easily."
Lira turned back to Kael, her voice breaking.
"I don't care if you never speak again.
I just don't want you hurt."
Kael's eyes softened.
He pulled her into his arms.
The bond pulsed between them warm, steady, alive.
Lira suddenly froze.
"Kael… I feel something…"
He tilted his head slightly, listening through the bond.
She touched her chest.
"I can hear you… not with my ears… but here."
Her eyes widened.
"Your thoughts… your feelings… they're louder now."
Kael's eyes widened too.
He focused.
And Lira felt it clearly
I'm okay.
Don't be scared.
She gasped.
"You're talking to me… through the bond."
The Seer's eyes narrowed in surprise.
"That shouldn't happen so soon…"
Lira looked at Kael with wonder.
"You don't need a voice anymore… do you?"
Kael shook his head slowly.
He placed his hand over her heart.
She felt it again
As long as you're with me… I don't need words.
Lira cried again, but this time she smiled.
The darkness around them shifted.
The Hollow reacted.
The ground trembled softly.
The Seer spoke urgently:
"The Hollow has accepted your sacrifice.
Now it will test whether your bond can survive the loss."
Lira stood, helping Kael up.
"Then let it test us."
Kael squeezed her hand firmly.
Ahead, the darkness opened into a wide path.
Cold.
Silent.
Waiting.
The Seer pointed forward.
"Walk.
Do not stop.
No matter what you hear."
Lira nodded.
Kael couldn't answer
But his grip tightened.
They stepped forward together.
As they walked, whispers filled the air.
"He is broken."
"He cannot protect you now."
Lira felt the words stab at her heart.
But then
She felt Kael's presence inside her.
Strong.
Calm.
Unshaken.
She whispered softly:
"I hear you, Kael.
And I trust you."
The whispers faded.
The path grew brighter.
Step by step
They moved forward.
Together.
And somewhere deep in the Hollow
Something ancient watched them pass…
And remembered their bond.