After Arkan left, silence filled the refuge again.
Only the soft glow of the blue crystals lit the room.
Lira stayed close to Kael, her hands still trembling.
The Seer watched them calmly, but his voice was serious.
"It's time you understand what the third phase truly means."
Kael wrapped an arm around Lira's waist.
"Tell us."
The Seer stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"The third phase is called Heartbind.
It is the moment your bond becomes unbreakable."
Lira blinked, confused.
"Unbreakable? But… isn't it already strong?"
The Seer shook his head.
"No. Right now, it can still be torn apart.
By the Devourer.
By the heir.
Even by your own fear."
Lira held Kael tighter.
Kael frowned.
"So how do we reach this phase?"
The Seer pointed at both of them.
"You must open your hearts to each other completely."
Lira's cheeks turned slightly pink.
Kael stiffened.
"What does that mean?" he asked carefully.
The Seer sat down in front of them.
"It means no lies.
No hiding pain.
No holding back feelings.
Everything must be shared."
Lira swallowed nervously.
"So… even our fears?"
"Especially your fears," the Seer said.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"I'm not used to… talking about myself."
Lira looked up at him softly.
"You don't have to talk to everyone.
Just talk to me."
Kael met her eyes.
Something warm stirred in his chest.
The Seer continued:
"The third phase will connect your hearts directly.
Your emotions will flow freely between each other.
Your pain.
Your hope.
Your trust."
Lira whispered:
"That sounds… scary."
Kael gently took her hand.
"But we do it together."
She smiled weakly.
The Seer stood and walked to the center of the chamber.
"Sit here. Face each other."
Kael and Lira sat in the glowing circle, knees touching.
The Seer formed a symbol in the air.
A soft warmth surrounded them like a blanket.
"Now," the Seer said,
"you must begin with something simple."
Lira tilted her head.
"What is simple for a bond like ours?"
The Seer answered:
"Hold each other. And speak a truth you've been hiding."
Lira's heart pounded.
Kael hesitated.
The Seer added,
"If you cannot do this… you cannot reach the third phase."
Kael took a slow breath.
He placed his hand gently on Lira's cheek.
"Lira… I'll go first."
Her eyes widened.
"Okay…"
Kael lowered his voice.
"I was scared of you in the beginning."
Lira flinched.
"Me? Why?"
Kael looked down, ashamed.
"I thought… if you saw what I really am…
if you saw my past…
you would run."
Lira's heart softened.
Kael continued, voice shaking slightly:
"You were the first person who ever looked at me like I wasn't a monster."
Lira reached for his hand.
"Kael… I would never run from you."
Kael's shoulders relaxed, relief washing over him.
Then Lira took a breath.
"My turn."
Kael nodded.
Lira looked into his eyes and spoke quietly.
"I wasn't just scared of dying.
I was scared of losing you."
Kael's chest tightened.
Lira continued, tears forming:
"I thought… if I became a burden… you would leave."
Kael's eyes widened.
"Lira, I would never leave you."
She lowered her gaze.
"I know that now. But before… I didn't believe anyone cared like that."
Kael gently lifted her chin.
"I care. More than you know."
Lira blushed softly.
Their hands intertwined.
The Seer stepped back silently.
The bond pulsed
a gentle, warm pressure rising from inside them.
Silver and black light wrapped around their fingers.
The Seer whispered:
"Good… you have started the Heartbind."
Kael leaned closer.
Lira's breath hitched.
But the glow around them grew stronger.
The connection deepened.
Their heartbeats synced again
slow, steady, peaceful.
For the first time…
it didn't hurt.
Kael brushed Lira's cheek with his thumb.
"You're not a burden."
Lira placed her hand over his heart.
"And you're not a monster."
A soft hum filled the room.
The Seer watched with calm satisfaction.
"The third phase has begun."
Kael and Lira held each other gently.
And in that moment
their bond felt stronger than ever.