The early morning air was cool as Kael and Liora retreated to a secluded corner of the outpost, the second shard's faint pulse in her hands. The rescue's adrenaline faded, leaving a heavy silence between them. Kael's wound seeped through his bandage, but his gaze fixed on Liora, sensing her unease. "What happened back there?" he asked, his voice low but insistent.
Liora's silver eyes dropped, her fingers tightening on the shard. Unable to bear the weight any longer, she confessed the vision—Kael falling, blood pooling, the shard's power foretelling his death. Her voice broke, tears welling. "I saw you die, and I couldn't stop it," she whispered, her fear raw.
Kael froze, then stepped closer, his hand brushing her cheek. "I've seen something too," he admitted, his tone soft. He described a counter-vision from the shard—himself and Liora victorious, their love sealing the Void's end. The revelation hung between them, a fragile hope against her dread.
They stood in silence, the shard's glow casting shadows on their faces. Liora leaned into his touch, her vulnerability mirrored in his steady gaze. "We face it together," he said, his resolve firm. The truth of their visions deepened their bond, though the shadow of fate lingered as they prepared for the challenges ahead.