Lyra's vision cleared just enough to see the aftermath of the shadow attack. The forest was littered with scorched leaves, and the faint smell of ozone hung in the air. Her hands trembled, still glowing faintly from the magical clash. Kael knelt beside her, one hand pressed against his chest, golden light flickering through his skin.
"You… you're alive," Lyra whispered, disbelief and fear tangled in her voice.
Kael's golden eyes met hers. "Barely. The curse…it feeds on bonds, on attachments. The stronger the connection, the more dangerous it becomes."
Lyra swallowed. Her chest tightened at his words, at the pulse of danger that seemed tied to him, and to her. Then, almost automatically, a small panel appeared in her vision—a soft, golden shimmer with symbols she had never seen before:
"Bond with Kael: 15/100 – Life Risk: 70%"
She blinked. What… is this? The numbers shifted slightly as her heartbeat quickened. The "system" she had glimpsed during the shadow attack was no longer just a faint image—it felt real, tangible, and insistent.
"I… I saw it," she said cautiously. "Some kind of… system?"
Kael's expression darkened. "Yes. I've sensed it before in others, but it's rare. Only a few have the ability to see it. It reacts to me… and to danger. You're linked now, whether you understand it or not."
Lyra's mind raced. Linked? Life risk? Her magic had already reacted instinctively during the attack, but now she realized it was more than instinct—it was a system guiding her, warning her, maybe even testing her.
Before she could dwell on it, a rustling sounded behind them. The shadows were not gone. Far from it. Small, agile forms moved through the trees, their red eyes glinting in the moonlight. Lyra's hands shook.
Kael rose, placing himself between her and the approaching creatures. "Stay behind me," he commanded. "And remember—our bond can protect us, but it can also… amplify the curse. Be careful."
Lyra nodded, though fear knotted her stomach. She took a deep breath and whispered the incantation she had been practicing earlier. A faint barrier of golden light sprang from her palms, forming a protective cocoon around them. The system pulsed:
"Skill Activated: Shield of Unity – Duration 5 min"
The shadows attacked in unison, striking with claws and dark energy that seemed to cut through the very air. Lyra's barrier flared, meeting their blows, while Kael's own power ignited—a golden aura emanating from his body that seemed to dance in harmony with hers.
As they fought, the bond between them pulsed violently. Lyra felt a strange warmth, almost like a heartbeat connecting her to Kael's own. The system panel flickered again:
"Cursed Bond Detected – Risk 80%"
Her heart raced. Every time their magic intertwined, she could feel the curse reacting violently, as if the very air around them sensed the forbidden connection.
Kael's voice cut through her panic. "Lyra! Focus! Your bond is both the weapon and the risk!"
Lyra nodded, forcing herself to concentrate. She channeled her healing magic not just to mend wounds, but to repel the shadows' corrupt energy. Sparks flew with every clash, the forest alive with magical resonance.
Then came a voice—soft, melodic, yet impossible to ignore, echoing from everywhere and nowhere.
"You are forbidden… your actions are forbidden…"
Lyra froze, her skin prickling as the system flashed:
"Warning: Divine Intervention – Immediate Danger"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "The gods… they're watching. Whoever you are, they're testing us, judging us… maybe even trying to punish me for surviving so long."
Lyra's stomach twisted. "Test… punish? But we didn't do anything wrong!"
The shadows recoiled, and from the darkness, a massive figure emerged, taller than any tree, cloaked in flickering black and gold. Its eyes glowed with the same golden hue as Kael's, yet colder, merciless.
Kael took a step forward. "Lyra… get behind me."
Lyra's hands glowed faintly as the system pulsed one final time:
"Life Risk: 90% – Fatal Bond Detected"
Her heart raced. She could feel the bond thrumming violently between them, magic intertwined, cursed, and alive.
The shadowy figure spoke, voice resonating like a thousand whispers:
"Your bond defies the laws of fate. Cease, or perish together."
Lyra's throat went dry. She glanced at Kael, who looked back at her, eyes wide but resolute.
"We can't stop… not now," Kael whispered. "We fight, or we die."