Bond By Time

The day bled into evening as Sera and Kael pressed on, the forest growing denser and the air heavier with each step. The encounter with the shadowbeast lingered in Sera's mind, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the strap of her satchel.

Kael led the way, his every movement purposeful, though his eyes flickered to the shadows more often now. The quiet between them stretched, broken only by the crunch of leaves beneath their feet and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures in the underbrush.

As they reached a small clearing, Kael stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal her. "We'll rest here for the night. The forest is too dangerous to travel through in the dark."

Sera nodded, grateful for the break. Her legs ached from the unrelenting pace, and her mind was a whirlwind of questions she couldn't yet voice.

Kael set to work, gathering wood and igniting a small fire with practiced ease. The warmth was a welcome relief against the cool evening air, and Sera sat close to the flames, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"You've done this before," she observed, watching him as he checked his sword and adjusted his armor.

"Many times," he replied, his tone distant. "I've spent lifetimes preparing for this moment. For you."

Sera lowered her gaze to the fire, unsure of how to respond. The weight of his words felt too immense to hold. Finally, she asked, "What happened… to us? In our past life?"

Kael's hands paused, and his silver eyes met hers. "You don't remember?"

She shook her head. "Only pieces. Dreams, fragments. A battlefield. Your voice. But it's all… blurry."

Kael sighed and leaned back against a tree, his expression shadowed. "We were rulers of a great kingdom, one built on peace and unity. You were its light, the one who brought hope to everyone who followed you. And I… I was your knight, sworn to protect you with my life."

"What changed?" she asked softly.

"The Shadow King," Kael said bitterly. "He sought to destroy everything you built. His power was unmatched, but it was you who stood against him. You wielded a light that could cut through even his darkness." He paused, his voice lowering. "But it came at a cost. He cursed me with immortality, forcing me to wander this world alone after you fell in battle."

Sera's chest tightened, her heart aching at the pain in his voice. "You've been… alone this whole time?"

Kael nodded. "Until now. When I saw you in the village, it was like… a piece of my soul finally returned. But I know the Shadow King won't stop until he takes you from me again."

Sera hesitated, then placed a hand on his arm. "This time, we'll face him together. I won't let you carry this alone anymore."

Kael's eyes softened, and for a moment, the tension between them eased.

But their respite was short-lived. A low whisper carried through the clearing, faint yet chilling. Sera stiffened, her hand instinctively gripping the pendant around her neck.

"Did you hear that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kael stood immediately, his sword drawn in one swift motion. "Stay close to the fire," he ordered, scanning the surrounding darkness.

The whispers grew louder, echoing like voices from another world. Shadows moved at the edge of the clearing, too fluid and unnatural to be cast by the fire.

"Kael…" Sera's voice trembled as the shadows began to take shape, forming into figures with glowing red eyes and twisted, skeletal forms.

"Specters," Kael muttered, stepping in front of her. "They're drawn to the curse."

The creatures advanced, their movements slow but deliberate. Kael raised his sword, the blade shimmering faintly as though responding to the danger.

Sera felt a sudden warmth in her chest, a pull she couldn't ignore. Her hand tightened around her pendant, and she realized it was glowing softly, pulsing in time with her heartbeat.

"Kael, the pendant—"

"Stay behind me!" he shouted, charging at the nearest specter.

But Sera couldn't look away from the light. It grew brighter, spreading through her entire body until it felt like her very soul was alight.

The specters recoiled, hissing as the light touched them. Kael turned to see Sera standing by the fire, her figure bathed in a radiant glow.

"Sera…" he whispered, awe and fear mingling in his voice.

The light surged outward, engulfing the clearing. The specters let out unearthly screams before dissolving into nothingness, the shadows retreating as quickly as they had come.

When the light faded, Sera collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

Kael was at her side in an instant, his hands steadying her. "Are you all right?"

"I… I don't know what just happened," she murmured, her voice weak.

Kael's expression was grave as he helped her to her feet. "Your power is awakening. But it's only the beginning. The Shadow King will know you've started to remember, and he won't wait any longer to find us."

Sera looked at him, fear and determination warring in her gaze. "Then we need to be ready."

Kael nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "We will be."

As the fire crackled softly behind them, they both knew the path ahead would only grow darker. But together, they would face whatever came.

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To be continue...