Caelan's POV
I hit the ground hard enough to crack ribs.
Years of combat training kicked in instantly. I rolled to my feet, sword already in my hand, every sense screaming for information. Where was I? Who brought me here? Where were the exits?
My boots clicked on smooth marble. The air smelled like incense and old magic. The space around me echoed large chamber, maybe a temple. Someone was breathing nearby, fast and panicked.
Where am I? I demanded, turning toward the sound. Who dares use magic on
You have been summoned, Storm blade. An old woman's voice, ancient and powerful, came from somewhere to my left. Just as she has.
She? I wasn't alone?
I heard the other person more clearly now. Quick, angry breaths. Then a new sound frantic scratching, like pen on paper.
Let me go, a woman's voice said. No, wait. Not a voice. The words appeared in my head, clear as day but not spoken out loud. NOW.
What kind of magic was this?
I cannot release you, the old woman said calmly. The Heart stone of Eternity is breaking. The barrier between our world and the void is cracking open. In thirty days, if the heart stone is not protected, everything every kingdom, every village, every living soul will be consumed by darkness and cease to exist.
I laughed. It was a harsh, bitter sound. Not my problem, old woman. Find yourself another hero.
The scratching sound came again. Then that voice in my head, furious and sharp: Not my problem either. I didn't ask to be here.
There is no one else, the old woman said. She was moving now, her footsteps slow and deliberate, walking between us. The heart stone chose you both. A mage marked by betrayal who lost her voice. A warrior marked by betrayal who lost his sight. Only you two possess the strength to protect it.
My jaw clenched. How did she know about my betrayal?
I don't work with mages, I said coldly. They're all liars and traitors.
The voice in my head shot back, angry: And I don't work with soldiers. They're all cowards who follow orders without thinking.
I give the orders, I snapped. I'm a commander.
Were, the voice corrected. You're nothing now. Just like me.
That hurt more than it should have.
Enough, the old woman said. You will work together, or you will both die. Along with everyone else.
I heard her moving closer. Felt magic building in the air, thick and heavy.
You will be bound, she continued. Tethered to each other by unbreakable magic. You cannot be more than ten feet apart, or the pain will drive you to your knees. Your minds will open to each other every thought, every memory, and every secret so that you may learn to trust.
No! I shouted, but it was already too late.
Silver light exploded around my wrist. I felt it like burning ice, wrapping around my arm, sinking into my skin. Across the chamber, I heard the woman gasp.
Magic chains. We were being chained together.
I refuse! I roared, trying to rip the chain off. It wouldn't budge.
Then something worse happened.
A voice erupted in my head not the calm, written words from before, but raw, terrified thoughts: No. Not again. I can't be controlled again. I can't
It was her. The woman. I was hearing her actual thoughts.
And she could hear mine, because I felt her freeze the moment my own thought blazed through my mind: Another mage. Of course it's a mage. They're all the same. They're all traitors who can't be trusted.
What did you do to us? I demanded.
I gave you a choice, the old woman said. Work together and save the world. Or refuse, and let everyone die. You have thirty days.
Before I could respond, she was gone. I felt the magic signature vanish like a candle being snuffed out.
Silence filled the temple.
Then the woman's thought, quiet and devastated: This is worse than exile.
My own thought, equally bitter: This is a nightmare.
I heard her move footsteps going in the opposite direction from me. Good. I wanted distance from whoever this was.
But the moment we got about ten feet apart, burning agony exploded through my entire body. It felt like someone was ripping my bones apart from the inside. I heard the woman scream actually scream, a raw sound with no words and we both stumbled back toward each other.
The pain stopped the instant we were close again.
I was breathing hard. We're stuck.
I heard her moving around, doing something. Then frustration blazed through our mental connection so strongly it almost knocked me over: I can't talk! I'm mute! And you can't see, so you can't read what I write!
Despite everything, I almost laughed. Perfect. A blind warrior and a mute mage. The gods have a sick sense of humor.
Her thought came back, sharp but with the tiniest hint of dark humor: For once, we agree on something.
We stood there in tense silence. I could feel her now through the bond not just hear her thoughts, but sense her emotions. Fear. Anger. Exhaustion. But underneath it all, something stronger: determination.
She wasn't going to give up easily. Neither was I.
What's your name? I asked finally.
A pause. Then: Aria.
Caelan, I offered back.
I know. I heard the Oracle call you Storm blade.
Don't call me that. I'm not a commander anymore.
And I'm not a High Mage anymore. I guess we're both nobody now.
Speak for yourself. I'm still dangerous.
Her thought came with a mental smirk: So am I.
Before I could respond, the temple shook. Not like an earthquake like something massive had just slammed against the outer walls.
Then came the howling. Dozens of voices, inhuman and hungry, shrieking from somewhere outside.
Aria's terror shot through the bond: What is that?
I drew my sword, stepping between her and the sound instinctively. Void creatures. They're already here.
The doors exploded inward with a crash that echoed through the chamber.
And through our mental bond, I felt Aria's horror as she saw what was pouring through: twisted, shadowy monsters with too many teeth and eyes that glowed red in the darkness.
We'd been together for less than ten minutes, and we were already about to die.