Darenn and Irving slowed their steps, the locket heavy in Darenn's palm. Aerin and Auron followed behind, their earlier lightheartedness gone, replaced by something steadier—something that carried weight.
Darenn turned to them, his voice low. "You said it felt familiar. Why?"
Aerin crossed her arms, her usual smile dimmed but not absent. "It's not something we can explain clearly. It's… a resonance. When I touched it, I felt the same current of magic our clan carries. That's why it glowed silver for me."
Auron added with his calm detachment, "And black for me. Light and Dark are opposites, but also counterparts. This kind of resonance can only happen with those of our bloodlines." His eyes lingered on the locket before flicking to Darenn. "I believe anyone from our clans could open this type of locket. But only if their magic aligned to the seal inside."
