The shadow in the distance didn't move closer.
It stayed where it was, tall and silent, like it was waiting.
Lira's fingers dug into Kael's arm.
"Kael… it's not attacking…"
Kael kept his eyes on the shadow.
"That's worse."
The Seer spoke quietly:
"The Hollow does not rush.
It waits for cracks in the heart."
The air grew colder.
A soft sound drifted between Kael and Lira.
Not loud.
Not sharp.
A voice.
"You are slowing him down."
Lira's breath caught.
The words weren't aimed at Kael.
They were aimed at her.
Lira shook her head.
"No… that's not true…"
Kael felt the doubt ripple through the bond.
He turned to her immediately.
"Lira, don't listen."
But the voice continued, calm and cruel.
"He would be stronger alone."
"He carries you because he pities you."
Lira's chest tightened.
She remembered moments of fear.
Moments when Kael fought while she could only watch.
Her hands trembled.
"Kael… what if"
Kael grabbed her hands firmly.
"Stop. Look at me."
She hesitated… then met his eyes.
"I don't protect you because you're weak," Kael said.
"I protect you because you matter."
The bond pulsed softly.
But the voice wasn't finished.
It shifted.
Now it spoke to Kael.
"She will be your weakness."
"When you hesitate… you will die."
Kael's jaw tightened.
He remembered Arkan's blade.
How close it came.
For a split second
Doubt touched him.
Lira felt it instantly.
"Kael… don't…"
Kael closed his eyes, breathing slowly.
He spoke, steady and clear:
"I choose to hesitate if it means she lives."
The bond surged.
The shadow in the distance flickered.
The Seer nodded.
"You're doing well.
But the Hollow will not stop yet."
The ground beneath them shifted again.
Two paths appeared ahead.
One bright.
One dark.
The Seer pointed.
"This is the next test."
Lira swallowed.
"What do they mean?"
The Seer answered:
"The bright path shows a future where your bond stays strong…
but you lose something else."
Kael frowned.
"And the dark path?"
"The dark path shows power.
But you walk it alone."
Lira's heart pounded.
"So… we have to choose?"
The Seer nodded.
"Yes. And the Hollow will remember your choice."
Kael didn't hesitate.
He took Lira's hand and stepped toward the bright path.
The shadow shifted sharply.
The voice screamed:
"FOOLISH!"
The bright path flared.
Pain shot through Kael's chest.
Lira gasped, feeling it too.
"Kael what's happening?!"
The Seer's voice remained calm.
"The price."
Kael clenched his teeth.
"What price?"
The Seer answered softly:
"You chose the bond over power.
Now the Hollow will take something from you."
The light grew blinding.
Kael felt something tear away inside him.
Not flesh.
Not blood.
Something deeper.
Lira screamed.
"KAEL-!"
The light vanished.
The ground returned to darkness.
Kael fell to one knee, breathing hard.
Lira dropped beside him, shaking.
"Kael… what did it take from you…?"
Kael tried to answer
But the words wouldn't come.
His throat worked.
Nothing.
The Seer's expression turned grave.
"…It took your voice."
Lira's eyes widened in horror.
"Your voice…?"
Kael opened his mouth again.
Silence.
He couldn't speak.
The bond pulsed steady, alive but something was missing.
The shadow in the distance faded away.
The Hollow had accepted the offering.
Lira grabbed Kael's face gently, tears falling.
"Kael… no… no…"
Kael touched her cheek, trying to comfort her.
He couldn't speak.
But his eyes said everything.
The Seer placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"This loss is not forever…
But it will not return easily."
Lira held Kael tightly.
"I don't care about power," she whispered.
"I just want you safe."
Kael pressed his forehead to hers.
Even without a voice
His promise remained.