LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 8: The Threads of Trust
Chapter 8: The Threads of Trust
The glowing path extended into the infinite void, its light pulsing faintly beneath their feet. The human and the creature moved cautiously, their footsteps—one light, one clawed—echoing in the endless expanse.
Above them, the stars shifted and swirled, forming patterns that seemed almost deliberate, like constellations that told a story neither of them could read.
The creature walked just behind the human, its golden eyes darting from one point of light to the next. It felt no immediate danger, but the tension in its chest remained. The thread binding it to the human was as strong as ever, pulling them forward with an urgency that neither could ignore.
The human finally broke the silence. "I don't suppose you have any answers about what's happening here."
The creature tilted its head but remained silent, its expression unreadable.
The human sighed, dragging a hand through their hair. "Didn't think so. I mean, it's not like I understand this either."
They gestured toward the shifting stars. "First, we're fighting nightmares. Then we're dragged into some glowing void. And now a floating ball of light tells us we're tied together by some bond that I didn't sign up for."
They paused, glancing back at the creature. "No offense."
The creature let out a low growl, not of aggression but of acknowledgment.
The human smirked faintly. "Right. I'll take that as 'none taken.'"
The path ahead began to curve, the light growing brighter. As they approached the bend, a new shape began to form in the distance—a towering structure that seemed to rise endlessly into the void. Its surface was smooth and reflective, like polished obsidian, but streaks of light ran through it, pulsing in time with the path beneath their feet.
"That's got to be it," the human muttered.
The creature stepped closer to the human, its posture shifting subtly. Protective.
The human noticed and raised an eyebrow. "You really don't trust this place, huh?"
The creature growled softly, its golden eyes fixed on the structure ahead.
"Yeah," the human said, gripping the hilt of their blade. "Me neither."
—
As they reached the base of the tower, the air grew heavier, pressing down on them like an invisible weight. The tower's surface shimmered, and the runes etched into its surface began to shift, rearranging themselves into new patterns.
A doorway appeared, its edges glowing faintly.
The human hesitated. "So, what's behind door number two?"
The creature stepped forward first, its claws clicking against the polished floor. It sniffed the air, its body tense. Sensing no immediate threat, it turned back to the human and gave a short growl.
The human chuckled. "Guess that's my cue."
They stepped through the doorway together.
—
The interior of the tower was a stark contrast to the void outside. The walls were made of shifting light, constantly in motion, and the floor was a maze of glowing symbols that pulsed with energy. The air buzzed with an electric charge, and the thread connecting them to each other seemed to hum in response.
At the center of the chamber stood three pedestals, each holding an object that glowed faintly: a shard of glass, a small flame suspended in midair, and a coiled chain of silver.
The voice from the orb echoed through the chamber.
"To proceed, the bond between you must be tested."
The human stiffened. "Of course it does. Why wouldn't it?"
The voice continued, unbothered. "Each of these objects represents a choice. One will strengthen your bond. Another will sever it. The last… will bring the truth to light."
The human and the creature exchanged glances.
The human frowned, stepping closer to the pedestals. "Strengthen, sever, or reveal. So, it's a gamble."
The creature growled softly, moving to stand beside them. It eyed the objects warily, its instincts on edge.
"Choose together," the voice commanded. "The decision must be made as one."
The human turned to the creature, their expression uncertain. "Well, this is great. How do we even agree on something when you can't talk?"
The creature stared at the pedestals for a long moment, then looked back at the human. Slowly, deliberately, it pointed a claw toward the coiled silver chain.
The human blinked. "That one?"
The creature didn't move, its golden eyes locked on the chain.
The human sighed. "Guess we're doing this your way."
They reached for the chain together, the human's hand brushing against the creature's claw.
The moment they touched the chain, a surge of energy shot through them, pulling them into a shared vision.
—
They stood in a forest of shadows, the air thick with the scent of damp earth. Around them, twisted trees loomed, their branches reaching like skeletal hands.
The human looked down, startled to see the creature by their side. But the creature was different now. Its form was flickering, shifting between its shadowy figure and something more… human.
"What is this?" the human murmured, their voice echoing in the stillness.
The forest began to move, the shadows twisting into shapes—figures locked in battle, a flash of golden eyes, a thread of light connecting two souls.
The voice echoed again, softer this time. "You are bound not by chance, but by design. The strength of your bond will determine your fate."
The shadows swirled faster, converging on the pair. The human drew their blade, ready to fight, but the creature stepped forward, raising a clawed hand.
The shadows stopped, hovering inches away.
The creature turned to the human, its form stabilizing into something clearer. Its golden eyes burned brighter, filled not with malice but with understanding.
The human hesitated, then lowered their blade.
The shadows parted, revealing a path of light leading deeper into the forest.
The voice spoke one last time. "Trust is the foundation of all bonds. Prove yours, and the way forward will open."
The creature took the first step, and after a moment's hesitation, the human followed.
Together, they walked into the unknown, the thread between them shining brighter than ever.