Lira's heart dropped the moment she heard the Seer's words.
"The Emperor's… heir?" she whispered.
Kael moved closer to her, protective.
"What does he want with us?"
The Seer sat down on a stone ledge, his mask turning toward them.
"He has been watching the border lands for unusual magic. The moment your bond awakened… he sensed it."
Lira hugged her knees, fear slowly rising.
"He sensed our bond… all the way from the capital?"
"Yes," the Seer replied.
"Mixed magic is rare. When a bond like yours forms, it sends a ripple through the world."
Kael frowned deeply.
"What does he want with that power?"
The Seer's voice grew heavier.
"He wants to control it."
Kael clenched his fists.
"So he wants to use Lira?"
Lira shook her head.
"No… he wants to use you too. Both of us."
The Seer confirmed it with a slow nod.
"He believes the person who controls your bond… controls a force that can change the Empire."
Kael's expression darkened.
"No one controls us."
The Seer looked at Kael carefully.
"Normally, I would agree. But you do not understand him.
The Emperor's heir is not like his father."
Kael's voice sharpened.
"Then what is he?"
The Seer answered quietly:
"He is clever. Patient. And cruel."
Lira's breath shook.
"What… what is he planning?"
The Seer folded his hands together.
"He has already sent assassins. The knights you faced were only the first wave. More will come… stronger ones."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"He wants to capture us alive."
"Yes," the Seer said.
"He wants to study the bond. Break it apart. Learn its power."
Lira's hands trembled.
"He'll hurt Kael…"
Kael immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"He won't touch you. And he won't touch me."
The Seer leaned forward slightly.
"There is more. The heir is not simply interested in your powers."
Lira looked up, confused.
"What else would he want?"
The Seer paused.
"He believes the bond can grant immortality."
Lira gasped.
Kael stiffened.
"What are you talking about?" Kael asked.
The Seer explained:
"Old legends say a perfect bond—shadow and light woven together—can heal any wound. Extend life. Even stop death."
Lira whispered,
"That's impossible…"
"Perhaps," the Seer said.
"But he believes it. And that makes him dangerous."
Kael lowered his voice.
"So he'll never stop coming."
The Seer nodded slowly.
"He will hunt you until he gets what he wants.
And now that the Devourer has sensed your bond too… you have two enemies instead of one."
Lira held onto Kael tightly.
Kael looked at the Seer.
"Then tell us what to do next."
The Seer pointed at Lira.
"She must learn to control the bond's growth."
Then at Kael.
"And you must learn to shield her from the inside."
Kael frowned.
"From the inside?"
The Seer nodded.
"You have shadow power. Your half of the bond can protect hers. But you must learn how."
Lira touched Kael's hand.
"Kael… can you do that?"
Kael looked at her firmly.
"If it means keeping you safe, I'll learn anything."
The Seer stood up.
"Good. Because your training starts now."
Kael helped Lira stand.
She looked worried, but determined.
The Seer raised his hand toward the center of the chamber.
A circle of symbols appeared on the floor, glowing silver and black.
"This," he said,
"is where you will learn to survive."
Kael and Lira exchanged a look.
They stepped forward together.
Whatever came next—
They would face it side by side.