The doorway opened quietly.
No wind.
No light explosion.
Just a calm exit.
Kael and Lira stepped through together.
The cold pressure of the Hollow vanished instantly.
Warm air touched their skin.
They were back in the forest—but not the same place as before.
The trees were taller.
Older.
The ground felt untouched by footsteps.
Lira looked around carefully.
"We're out… right?"
Kael nodded.
Through the bond, she felt his answer
Yes. We're safe. For now.
The Seer appeared behind them, his robe moving gently in the breeze.
"You survived," he said.
"Few do."
Lira let out a slow breath she didn't know she was holding.
"My heart still feels… strange."
The Seer looked at her.
"That is the Heartbind settling.
It will take time."
Kael touched his throat unconsciously.
Lira noticed.
"Does it hurt?" she asked softly.
He shook his head.
Through the bond, she felt his response
It's quiet. But not empty.
She smiled sadly.
"You're still you."
Kael met her eyes and nodded.
The Seer turned toward the trees.
"We must move quickly.
The heir felt the Hollow open."
Lira stiffened.
"He knows we went inside?"
"Yes," the Seer replied.
"And that means he knows you survived."
Kael's grip tightened around Lira's hand.
Let him come, his intent flowed.
The Seer paused, sensing it.
"Careful," he said.
"Confidence is good. Recklessness is not."
They began walking through the forest.
As they moved, Lira suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
Kael turned to her.
She pressed a hand to her chest.
"I feel… something new."
The Seer stopped too.
"What kind of feeling?"
Lira frowned slightly.
"It's not fear.
Not pain."
She looked at Kael.
"It feels like… I know where you are. Even without seeing you."
Kael stepped a little to the side.
Her head turned instantly toward him.
Her eyes widened.
"I can sense you…"
The Seer's tone sharpened.
"That is new."
Lira swallowed.
"Is it bad?"
The Seer shook his head slowly.
"No.
It means the Heartbind has deepened."
Kael focused.
Lira felt his presence move—clear, steady.
She smiled softly.
"You don't need to speak… I can still find you."
Kael's eyes softened.
And I can feel you, his intent answered.
The Seer looked ahead, serious again.
"This bond will make you strong.
But it will also make you visible."
Lira's smile faded.
"To the heir?"
"To everyone," the Seer said.
"Friends. Enemies. And things that are neither."
Kael stepped slightly in front of Lira.
The Seer noticed.
"Protective instincts will increase too," he added.
"That is another side effect."
Lira touched Kael's arm gently.
"We'll manage."
The Seer nodded.
"Your next challenge will not be battle."
Lira looked confused.
"Then what?"
The Seer answered quietly:
"Choice."
The forest ahead opened into a wide clearing.
In the distance
Smoke rose.
Lira's heart skipped.
"That looks like… a village."
The Seer stopped.
"Yes.
And the heir's influence has already reached it."
Kael's body tensed.
Lira felt it instantly.
"Kael…?"
The Seer finished:
"You must decide
Hide…
or step into the world again."
The clearing waited.
So did the consequences.