The path through Bloodthorn Valley was slowly transforming. The branches of the trees had now become so thick and twisted that they looked like the gates of a maze. Every branch glowed with red petals, but they were no longer static—whenever Aarya stepped near, they shifted with a faint hum, syncing with the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Riya was walking ahead, her blade ready. Her expression had grown more serious.
"This is it… the outer gate of the Heart Zone. There's no turning back from here."
Aarya listened to her words and gripped his Granthnishaan tightly. His chest began to warm subtly, and with each heartbeat, it felt as if the Valley was staring straight into him.
Feran stood close by, his fur on edge.
"Aarya, every inch of this zone is alive. It will feel even your slightest emotions."
Aarya took a deep breath and replied slowly, "I'm ready."
Riya looked at him—for a moment, a flicker of light shone in her green eyes, as though she was accepting his resolve.
---
After a while, they arrived in an open clearing. Here, the branches were tangled together, forming what looked like a living door.
The door appeared alive—its branches rising and falling as if breathing, and the red threads at its center pulsed in rhythm with a heartbeat.
Aarya whispered, "It's… breathing."
Riya gave a small nod. "This is the only way into Bloodthorn's Heart Zone. Once we step inside, the Valley will seep into us."
Feran growled, his telepathic tone sharper now:
"Once you go in, every pain, every guilt… it will be used against you. Are you both ready?"
Aarya looked at Riya. She tightened her grip on her blade and calmly said, "We don't have another choice."
—
As soon as they stepped through the gate, the air changed completely.
Inside, there was a dense red fog, swaying slightly with each of their steps. The branches were now even more twisted, and faint whispers floated between them—like someone softly calling their names.
Aarya began to hear them in his ears:
"…Aarya… why did you leave her…? Why did you let her die…?"
His heart skipped a beat, but Riya immediately came close and gently grabbed his hand.
"Steady your breathing. These voices are trying to invade your mind. Ignore them."
Following her words, Aarya focused his breath and tightened his Granthnishaan. Slowly, the whispers started to fade.
Feran growled again, but his tone now sounded more protective:
"Stay close to each other. This zone will try to separate you."
—
Soon, they reached a small clearing where red petals emitted a gentle glow. Riya stopped and spoke softly, "We need to rest here a bit. Your Granthnishaan needs time to stabilize."
Aarya sat near a large root, and Riya sat across from him. The air still carried the tempting whispers, but Aarya ignored them.
After a brief silence, Aarya quietly asked, "How are you always so calm? Don't you ever feel afraid?"
Riya looked at him, and for the first time, her expression softened. "I do… but fear is what keeps you alive. And… like you, I also found it hard to trust anyone."
Aarya looked surprised. "And now?"
She looked directly at him and gave a small smile—gentle, but genuine.
"Now… I think I'm starting to trust."
Feran teased through his telepathic tone:
"Watching you two… maybe there is a reason you're together."
Aarya chuckled slightly. "Maybe."
—
Just as they shared that quiet moment, a sudden tremor shook the ground. The red fog thickened, and the branches around them started trembling—like the Valley was reacting to their emotions.
Riya stood up quickly and readied her blade.
"The zone is sensing our bond… and might see it as a threat."
Feran growled, his fur standing on end. "Get ready. Guardians are coming."
From the fog, two massive shadowy forms started emerging—their bodies were half-beast, half-thread, and their eyes glowed a deep red.
Aarya activated his Granthnishaan and looked at Riya. "Together?"
Riya gave a confident nod. "Together."
—
The red fog thickened even more as the shadowy beasts revealed themselves.
Their bodies were made entirely of threads and thorns, but their faces looked disturbingly human—distorted, as if they were once people the Valley had consumed. Their glowing red eyes locked directly onto Aarya's Granthnishaan.
Riya tightened her blade and spoke in a calm tone, "These are the Guardians… the first wardens of the Heart Zone. They fight not just us, but the emotions inside us."
Feran positioned himself defensively, growling low.
"Aarya, remember—your heartbeat and emotions are their signal. Stay calm and strike at the roots."
Aarya took a deep breath and nodded. "Understood."
---
The Guardians lunged together with a monstrous roar. One hurled its thorny threads into the air, writhing like serpents as they shot toward Aarya.
Riya flipped through the air, slicing the threads with her blade. Her movements were swift and precise—but the threads regenerated instantly.
"They can regrow their threads!" Riya shouted.
Aarya's Granthnishaan lit up. His chest was steady now, and he could feel the flow of the roots beneath the threads—synchronized with his own heartbeat.
One Guardian charged at him, and without hesitation, Aarya targeted its root. He slammed his hand beneath the threads and burned the root with his energy. The Guardian roared and fell back, half its body crumbling instantly.
Feran's voice rang with pride:
"That's it! Your instinct is growing sharper!"
Riya shouted as she cut through the other Guardian's threads, "Aarya! Hit the other one's root too, I'll cover you!"
Aarya nodded and focused on the beast's movement. His Granthnishaan pulsed faster—each thread now looked like a trail of light, as if the zone itself was guiding him.
He dove to the perfect spot and slammed his hand into the root. The Granthnishaan flared white for a second, and the second Guardian roared as its body broke down into smoke.
---
As the Guardians fell, the red fog grew dense again, and a soft yet haunting female voice echoed in the air:
"…you killed my children… and yet your heart is still so pure… Aarya…"
Aarya froze for a moment. His heartbeat quickened, and the voice slithered into his mind—soft, seductive, but hollow within.
Riya instantly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ignore it! That's Lysara… the Queen of the Valley. She's trying to get into your head."
Aarya tried to control his breathing, but the voice returned:
"…you understand me… you are like me… just one step closer, and you'll become a part of me…"
His Granthnishaan flashed red for a moment, and the dark voice within surged—
"…yes… accept it…"
Feran growled sharply, his telepathic tone now booming:
"Aarya! Control it! She's trying to break your mind. Focus on Riya!"
Aarya turned toward Riya. Her green eyes were calm and strong, and she gently said:
"You're here—with me. You're not alone."
Her words helped Aarya's breath return to normal, and his Granthnishaan began glowing white again. The red fog stilled for a moment.
---
The Guardians' bodies dissolved into smoke, and the branches finally went still—as if the Valley was granting them passage, for now.
Riya sheathed her blade and looked at Aarya. "You did it. You resisted her influence."
Aarya exhaled with a faint smile. "Because of you. Without you, I might've lost control."
Feran's growl was softer now:
"The bond between you two… maybe that's why you're surviving this zone."
Riya glanced at Feran with a slight smile, then turned to Aarya and calmly said:
"Let's move. There's more ahead inside the Heart Zone… and this was just the beginning."
Aarya placed a hand on his Granthnishaan and nodded. "I'm ready."
The three of them continued deeper into the Heart Zone, the red fog swirling once again around them—as if the Valley was watching their every step.
—
TO BE CONTINUED…