The battlefield shook as Elira's crown blazed with both fire and shadow. The forbidden binding surged through her veins, every heartbeat a clash of grief and loyalty.
Her flame burned brighter, but the shadow pressed harder, whispering Marlic's voice into her mind. You cannot hold both. You cannot bind betrayal and loyalty. You will break.
Elira staggered, her knees buckling. The crown pulsed violently, its light fracturing. For a heartbeat, she saw herself consumed—fire collapsing inward, shadow swallowing her whole.
Kael's blade gleamed, his voice fierce. "Elira! Hold! Do not let it take you!"
But her chest tightened, her breath shallow. The forbidden binding tore at her, flame and shadow pulling in opposite directions. Her shield faltered, sparks raining down.
Marlic's laughter split the storm. "See? Balance is weakness. Flame cannot endure shadow. She will collapse, and the crown will be mine."
The Ashbound surged forward, torches blazing. They formed a wall around her, their voices rising in defiance. "Flamebearer does not fall alone!"
Kael pressed to her side, his hand steady on her arm. His blade burned with her fire, his shadow flickering with hers. "Anchor yourself to us. Do not carry it alone."
Elira gasped, her fire flickering. The crown pulsed in harmony with their torches, no longer tearing but weaving. For a moment, the forbidden binding steadied—not because she held it alone, but because they held it with her.
Her voice was weak but steady. "Together… flame and shadow… will endure."
Marlic's roar shook the battlefield, his storm pressing harder. But Elira did not collapse. She stood, barely, her flame bound to the Ashbound's torches, her shadow anchored by Kael's blade.
The war was not ended. But for the first time, the forbidden binding did not break her—it bound her to them.