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"When love begins to bloom, darkness finds cracks to slip through."
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☁️ Prologue: The Monster's Gaze
Cael is alone in his room, facing an old mirror.
His reflection stares back at him… but doesn't mimic him.
It blinks—delayed.
Then smiles.
Not with lips. But with teeth—thin, sharp, impossible.
— You touched him.
— You felt him.
— Now… I can feel too.
Cael steps back, breathless. But the eyes stay open.
He wasn't sleeping.
🌀 After the Lake
Since the dive into Vharûn, something has changed in Cael.
Whispers follow him when he closes his eyes.
Words in a strange tongue...
Which he never learned, but somehow understands.
Ezren watches — and worries.
Cael avoids his gaze.
He trembles when conjuring shadow magic.
He says names that aren't his. Sometimes, in a whisper... he says "Ezren" with sorrow.
⚔️ Confrontation in the Training Field
Ezren confronts him — furious and wounded.
— You're hiding something from me.
— It's none of your business.
— The moment I nearly died for you… it became my business.
Cael holds back his anger. But fails.
A tear escapes.
He turns, ready to disappear.
Ezren grabs his shoulder.
Cael doesn't pull away — for the first time.
🏛️ The Echo Chamber
Master Asgor sends them to the Chamber of Echoes — a conscious library that only answers questions asked with true emotion.
Before a blank tome, Ezren asks:
— What is the shadow that's bound to him?
The pages write themselves, slowly. In dark, living ink:
"The Watcher binds to those who want… but deny.
It feeds on silent love.
It grows like roots in soil of pain."
Ezren closes the book. His eyes heavy.
— This is my fault.
— I felt it… but stayed silent.
— And now he pays the price.
Cael watches him, trembling.
— I'm… falling apart, Ezren.
Ezren grips his hand firmly.
— Then fall apart with me.
🌫️ Night Terror
That night, mist invades the Guild.
Corridors twist.
Doors open on their own.
Screams. Whispers. Distorted voices:
— "You want him, but you're afraid."
— "You love him, but you lie."
Ezren runs. The alarm seal burning on his arm.
In the East Tower, he finds Cael floating.
Liquid shadow tendrils wrap around his body.
His eyes — black. His voice — warped.
— You should've let me die in the lake…
💔 Emotional Confrontation
Ezren tries using light.
Nothing works.
The shadow laughs.
Then… he lets the magic go.
And speaks the truth.
— I hated you at first.
Because you saw me.
Because you saw what even I didn't want to see.
— But now…
I know I want to face this with you.
— Even if it's darkness.
Even if it hurts.
He steps into the barrier.
The shadow burns his skin.
Ezren embraces Cael — tightly. Truly.
— If we fall…
Let it be together.
The darkness erupts in pale light.
Absolute silence.
🌘 Epilogue: The Silent Confession
Hours later. Guild infirmary.
Cael wakes. Ezren is there, asleep in a chair, fingers still entwined with his.
Cael speaks softly:
— The creature… is it still inside me?
Ezren smiles, exhausted.
— Maybe.
But now it has to share space with me.
Cael closes his eyes.
He doesn't say thank you.
He doesn't need to.
He just tightens his fingers in return.