Bond By Time

The journey through the jagged ridges continued, with each step feeling heavier than the last. The air grew colder, and Sera's breaths came out in visible puffs. The weight of her newfound power gnawed at her, leaving her quiet as they climbed higher into the mountains.

Kael walked slightly ahead, his sword drawn and his eyes scanning the path for threats. He hadn't said much since the golem encounter, his focus intense but his silence unsettling.

Sera finally broke the quiet. "Kael, you haven't spoken since the fight. Are you upset with me?"

He stopped abruptly, turning to face her. "Upset? No, Sera. I'm worried. Your power is growing faster than I expected, and that means the Shadow King will sense it too."

"I couldn't just stand by and watch you get hurt," she said, crossing her arms. "We're supposed to face this together."

Kael's expression softened, but his tone remained firm. "And we will. But if something happens to you because you're not ready to control that power…" He hesitated, his eyes briefly filled with something she couldn't quite name. Fear? Pain?

"I know the risks," she replied, her voice steady. "But this isn't just about me anymore, is it? If we fail, it's not just us who'll suffer."

Kael let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. "You're right. But promise me you'll be cautious. Don't push yourself unless you're certain. This bond we share… it's the only thing keeping the darkness from overwhelming you."

She nodded, sensing the gravity in his words. "I promise."

The Murmuring Cavern

By midday, they reached a narrow gorge that led to the entrance of a cavern carved into the side of the mountain. Strange symbols adorned the rocky walls, glowing faintly as if alive.

"This is it," Kael said, stopping at the mouth of the cave. "The Murmuring Cavern. It's said to test those who seek the Sanctum of Stars."

"What kind of test?" Sera asked, her eyes fixed on the glowing symbols.

Kael tightened his grip on his sword. "No one knows. Many who enter never return. Whatever lies inside, it's meant to challenge us—mentally, emotionally, and physically."

Sera swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling heavily on her shoulders. She glanced at Kael, finding reassurance in his steady presence. "Then we face it together."

He nodded, his silver eyes meeting hers with quiet determination. "Together."

They stepped into the cavern, the temperature dropping sharply. The air was thick, and their footsteps echoed eerily. The faint hum of the wind outside was replaced by a low, resonant murmuring, as if the cave itself was alive.

The light from their surroundings dimmed, and soon they were engulfed in near-total darkness. A soft glow from Sera's pendant illuminated their path, casting flickering shadows on the cavern walls.

"Do you hear that?" Sera whispered, her voice barely audible.

Kael nodded. "Voices. They're part of the test. Don't let them get to you."

The murmuring grew louder, forming fragmented words and phrases.

"Unworthy…"

"Turn back…"

"Lost forever…"

Sera shivered, gripping her pendant tightly. The voices felt invasive, as though they were digging into her deepest fears.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her shifted, and the space around them transformed. The cavern walls disappeared, replaced by an endless void. Kael's hand shot out, grabbing hers just as the ground reappeared beneath their feet—a narrow bridge suspended in darkness.

"This is the test," Kael said, his voice steady despite the unnerving scene. "The bridge isn't real. It's meant to make you doubt yourself. Focus on your light, Sera."

She nodded, her heart pounding. They began to move carefully across the bridge, but with every step, the voices grew louder, more insistent.

"Sera, you will fail…"

"You're not strong enough…"

"You'll lose him again…"

She froze, the last words striking a chord deep within her. "Kael…"

"I'm here," he said, his grip on her hand tightening. "They're trying to break you. Don't let them."

But the voices wouldn't relent, and the void around them began to shift, taking on the shape of a battlefield. Sera saw herself standing in the center, her past self, bathed in light. Beside her, Kael fought fiercely against an army of shadows.

And then she saw it—the moment she fell. The image played out before her as if it were happening again. She saw Kael's anguish, his cry of despair as she collapsed.

"Sera, look at me," Kael said, his voice cutting through the vision. "That's not real. Not anymore. You're here, with me. Focus on the present."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she forced herself to nod. The pendant's glow grew brighter, and the battlefield dissolved back into the cavern.

The bridge beneath them solidified, and the voices faded into silence.

Kael pulled her close, his arms steadying her trembling form. "You did it. You faced the test."

Sera took a shaky breath, her grip on his arm tight. "It was so real. I thought I was going to lose you all over again."

He held her gaze, his expression filled with an intensity she hadn't seen before. "You won't lose me, Sera. Not this time. Not ever."

They stood there for a moment, the bond between them stronger than ever. But in the depths of the cavern, something stirred—a low rumble that promised their trials were far from over.

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To be continue.....