POV: DUAL (KIERAN → KAELIS)
Timeline: One week after the dreams started
Location: Nocterra → Tidelands
KIERAN'S POV
The dreams are getting worse.
Every night now. Same theme, different variations.
Kaelis losing control.
Kaelis hurting people.
Kaelis leaving to protect everyone.
"It's just stress," I tell myself for the hundredth time.
But the twin bond feels... different. Muted. Like there's static on a phone line.
"You're barely eating," Ravion observes at breakfast.
I look down at my plate. He's right. I've been pushing food around for ten minutes.
"Not hungry."
"You said that yesterday. And the day before."
"I'm just tired."
"Kieran." He sets down his fork. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"You're not fine. You've been having nightmares. You barely sleep. You keep touching your chest like the bond is hurting." His eyes narrow. "What's going on?"
"I..." I hesitate. "I keep dreaming about Kaelis. About his magic getting out of control. About him leaving."
"They're just dreams."
"But what if they're not? What if he's actually struggling and I'm feeling it through the bond?"
"Then he'd tell us. Or Nyx would."
"Would he though?" I push my plate away. "What if he's scared? What if he thinks he's protecting us by hiding it?"
Ravion is quiet for a moment.
"You want to visit him," he says finally.
"Yeah. Just to check. To make sure he's okay."
"We're supposed to meet in three days anyway."
"I know. But I—" I touch my chest again. "I need to see him now. Something feels wrong."
Ravion studies me carefully. Then: "Okay. We'll go today."
"Really?"
"Really." He stands. "If something's wrong with Kaelis, we need to know. The bond doesn't lie."
Relief floods through me. "Thank you."
But as we're preparing to leave, I get a message.
A water construct appears—Nyx's preferred method of communication—and speaks in his voice:
"Kaelis isn't feeling well today. Nothing serious. Just exhausted from training. Perhaps we can reschedule?"
My stomach drops.
"See?" Ravion says. "He's just tired. We can visit in a few days when he's recovered."
"Yeah," I say slowly. "Yeah, you're right."
But something feels wrong.
KAELIS' POV
I didn't send that message.
Nyx did.
Without asking me.
"You need rest," he said this morning.
"Kieran will understand."
"But I want to see him—"
"After you've recovered. You've been pushing yourself too hard with training."
He's not wrong. I have been training obsessively. Trying to control the magic that keeps spiking at random moments.
But I wanted to see Kieran. Needed to see him.
The bond feels weird. Fuzzy. Like there's distance between us that shouldn't be there.
"Fine," I'd agreed. "Tell him we'll reschedule."
Now I'm alone in my chambers, staring at the ceiling, and the doubt is eating me alive.
What if I'm actually dangerous?
What if my magic is unstable?
What if I hurt someone?
The thoughts spiral. Louder. More insistent.
Just like in the dreams.
You're too powerful. Too dangerous. Leave before you hurt them.
"Stop," I whisper to the empty room.
But the voice doesn't stop.
It never stops anymore.
There's a knock on my door.
"Come in," I call, expecting Nyx.
It's not Nyx.
A woman enters. Beautiful, ethereal, with silver hair and eyes that shift colors like oil on water. She's wearing robes that seem to be made of shadows.
"Who—" I start to sit up.
"Relax, Prince Kaelis." Her voice is smooth, hypnotic. "I'm here to help."
"Help with what?"
"Your magic. Your control issues." She moves closer with fluid grace. "Nyx sent me. I'm a specialist in chaos magic."
"He didn't mention—"
"It was a surprise. He wanted to give you the best training possible." She smiles. "My name is Mira. I've been working with unstable magic users for centuries."
Something about her feels off. But she knows about my magic problems. And Nyx did say he was looking for additional trainers...
"Okay," I say carefully. "What do you need me to do?"
"First, I need to assess your current state." She holds out her hand. "May I?"
I hesitate. Then place my hand in hers.
The moment we touch, coldness shoots through me.
Images flash:
Water exploding. Nyx hurt. Kieran drowning. Everyone I love destroyed by my magic.
I jerk my hand back, gasping.
"As I thought," Mira says sadly. "Your magic is extremely unstable. Growing exponentially. Without proper intervention—" She meets my eyes. "—you will hurt someone. Soon."
"No," I breathe. "I'm training. I'm getting better—"
"You're getting stronger. That's not the same as better." She sits on the edge of my bed. "Your power is growing faster than your control. Eventually, there will be an incident. A loss of control. And someone you love will pay the price."
The words confirm every fear I've had.
"What do I do?" My voice cracks.
"There are options. Binding your magic. Suppressing it temporarily while you learn control." She pauses. "Or... distance."
"Distance?"
"Removing yourself from those you might harm. Training in isolation until you've mastered your power." Her expression is sympathetic. "I know it's not ideal. But it's the safest option."
"You want me to leave."
"I want you to protect the people you love." She stands. "Think about it. I'll return tomorrow for your decision."
She leaves before I can respond.
I sit there, alone, her words echoing in my head.
You will hurt someone. Soon.
The bond pulses in my chest. Kieran. On the other end. Probably worried about me.
What if I lose control near him?
What if I hurt my own twin?
The thought is unbearable.