The chamber lit up instantly
a massive burst of silver and black light shot outward, filling the entire room.
Arkan's blade stopped just inches from Kael's neck.
Not because Arkan hesitated
But because the bond stopped him.
Lira's scream echoed through the chamber.
"KAEL!!"
Kael didn't move.
He felt the power inside him surge warm and sharp at the same time.
Lira had thrown her full heart into the bond at the moment Arkan struck.
Her fear.
Her hope.
Her need to protect him.
Everything flowed into Kael.
The explosion threw Arkan back several steps.
Dust and blue crystal shards filled the air.
The Seer shielded his face from the blast.
When the light faded
Kael was still standing.
Lira ran to him immediately, grabbing his face with both hands.
"Kael—Kael—are you okay?! Talk to me!"
Kael blinked slowly.
"I'm… fine."
He looked down.
Arkan's sword had stopped less than a finger's width from his throat.
Lira trembled.
"If the bond didn't react… you would have…"
Kael placed his hand over hers.
"I'm here. You saved me."
Lira cried softly, her forehead pressing against his chest.
The Seer stepped closer, stunned.
"Incredible… the bond protected you on its own."
Arkan stood across the room, dust settling around him.
He stared at Kael and Lira with unreadable eyes.
Then he said:
"…So this is your true strength."
His voice wasn't angry
It was impressed.
Kael kept Lira behind him but didn't attack.
Arkan wiped a streak of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Very few in this world could stop my blade."
He pointed his sword at them again, but slower this time.
"And no one has ever forced me to step back."
Lira flinched, but Kael didn't.
Kael answered quietly:
"We didn't force you back.
The bond did."
Arkan lowered his weapon slightly.
"So I see."
The Seer moved between them.
"Arkan Vale. Leave now. The heir has no right to this bond."
Arkan ignored the Seer.
His eyes focused only on Kael.
"You are worth more than I was told."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Arkan didn't answer immediately.
He sheathed his sword.
Lira gasped
She didn't understand why he would stop fighting.
Arkan spoke calmly:
"I came here to test you.
Not to kill you."
Kael stiffened.
"You call this a test?"
Arkan nodded.
"If I wanted you dead… we wouldn't be talking."
Lira clutched Kael's sleeve.
"Then why attack us?"
Arkan stepped closer slowly.
"To see whether the heir's fear was real."
Kael frowned.
"Fear? Fear of what?"
Arkan looked directly at Lira.
"Fear of your bond.
Fear that if it keeps growing…
you will surpass him."
Lira's breath caught.
Kael felt something heavy settle in his chest.
Arkan continued:
"You two are young. Untrained.
Yet you already survived the Devourer's presence…
and my blade."
He pointed at Kael.
"If you live long enough, you will become a threat to the Empire."
Lira whispered:
"We don't want to destroy the Empire…"
Arkan nodded.
"I know. That's why I am giving you a warning."
Kael tensed.
"What warning?"
Arkan stepped closer, his voice low.
"The heir is not sending knights anymore."
"He will come himself."
Lira's eyes widened in terror.
Kael felt anger rise inside him.
Arkan finished:
"And when he arrives…
your bond will be the first thing he tries to break."