The wind carried a cold bite as Aria and Kael traveled deeper into the northern ridge. The silver chain — Ethan's — now rested close to her heart, warm against her skin. The bracelet on her wrist pulsed in tune with the chain, as if both artifacts were speaking to each other in silence.
Kael kept glancing over at her. "You're different now," he finally said.
Aria nodded. "I feel it. Stronger, but… also watched."
They weren't alone anymore.
Ever since they left the Whispering Forest, strange shadows had started to appear on the edges of their campfires. Figures that vanished when looked at directly. Trees that whispered in voices not carried by wind. The bond she had awakened was powerful — but it had drawn attention.
On the third night, the attack came.
It started with silence. Not natural quiet — but a complete absence of sound. No crickets. No fire crackle. Just stillness.
Then the trees parted.
Figures cloaked in shifting darkness stepped into the clearing. Six of them. Their eyes glowed faintly red, and their presence bent the air around them.
Kael's sword was drawn in an instant.
But Aria… stood still.
She could feel something — the chain was vibrating wildly, and the bracelet burned faintly on her wrist. The shadows spoke in unison, a sound like voices layered over one another.
"She carries the heart. The bond. The awakening."
Kael stepped forward. "You won't touch her."
One of the shadow figures tilted its head. "You are not her protector. You are one of the bound."
Kael froze.
"What do you mean?" Aria demanded.
Another voice answered — deeper, crueler. "The three souls inside you are not just brothers. They are keepers. Chosen to be sealed in your blood… because you were never meant to be just one."
Suddenly, a shadow figure lunged.
Kael met it mid-air, blades flashing. Sparks exploded as light clashed with shadow.
Aria raised her arm — and for the first time, the bracelet and chain responded together.
Light erupted from her chest, a burst of silvery blue that pushed the shadows back. They screamed, twisting into smoke and vanishing.
But not all of them.
The tallest figure remained, unharmed, its voice calmer now.
"You cannot hide what you are. The more you awaken, the more they will come."
Then it was gone.
Kael stood panting, his sword scorched. Aria dropped to her knees, her head spinning.
"What's happening to me…?" she whispered.
Kael knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We're closer to the truth now. That's why they're scared."
And somewhere in the darkness, far beyond what they could see — something stirred. Something old. Something waiting.