They reached a clearing deep in the forest.
Raya expected darkness—thick trees, black silhouettes—but instead, the area glowed faintly, as if an invisible light surrounded it.
"It's… bright." She gasped.
Eren nodded. "This is a warded place. Revenants can step here, but the Shadow Sovereign cannot. He has no eyes here."
"For real?"
"For now."
Raya sagged in relief, but Eren didn't relax. He scanned every corner with intensity, blade still glowing faintly.
"Eren…" Raya said softly.
"You're scaring me."
He sheathed his blade slowly. "Raya, the Sovereign doesn't mark people randomly. If he claims someone, it means they hold something he wants. Something… important."
"But I don't have anything."
"You have yourself," Eren said.
"And that is enough."
She shivered.
"What does he do to the ones he claims?"
Eren hesitated long enough that she knew the truth wasn't good.
"Eren."
He exhaled.
"He binds their souls to his kingdom. They become… his."
"As in what? Servants? Prisoners?"
He looked away.
"Possessions."
Raya's breath caught. "Like… a wife?"
Eren's hand trembled.
"Not wife," he whispered.
"Something beyond that. Something darker."
Raya pressed a hand to her mouth. "I don't want that. I want to be free."
"You will be."
His voice sharpened.
"I swear you will be."
Her chest warmed—just a little.
"Why do you care so much?" Raya asked softly.
Eren froze.
His silence was louder than any answer.
"Eren… do you know something? About me?"
"I know enough to want to protect you."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I can give."
Raya stepped closer.
"Then can I ask one more thing?"
He nodded.
She reached out—hesitant—and placed her hand on his chest.
"Why does it feel like you're afraid of losing me?"
Eren swallowed, his voice barely audible.
"Because," he whispered,
"I've already lost you once."
Raya's heart dropped.
"What do you mean—"
Eren stiffened suddenly.
His eyes widened.
"Get behind me."
"Wha—"
"NOW."
The air shattered like glass.
Something stepped into the clearing—
Tall. Cloaked.
Not a shadow. Not a man.
Something in between.
Eren's voice broke.
"No… no, no. He shouldn't be able to come here."
Raya's heartbeat stuttered.
"Who—who is that?!"
The figure tilted its head toward her, and the light around them bent.
Eren whispered the words Raya never wanted to hear.
"The ward has failed."
The figure stepped forward.
And the world trembled as a voice—soft, ancient, and terrifyingly calm—filled the air.
"You ran far enough, little star."
Raya froze.
Her mark ignited—white-hot.
Eren moved, blade drawn, body shaking.
"Raya," he whispered, "don't speak. Don't move. And don't—"
The figure appeared in front
of her.
Eren didn't even see it move.
Raya's breath left her lungs in a violent gasp as a cold hand brushed her cheek.
"You are mine."