The golden shield flared violently, repelling the divine figure and the swirling shadows. Lyra's chest heaved, her hands glowing with residual magic. Every pulse of her power was intertwined with Kael's own, a dangerous resonance that made her stomach twist.
"They're stronger than anything we've faced," Kael muttered, voice tight. "Lyra… the system—our bond—is being watched. Every connection, every pulse of magic—it's a test."
Lyra nodded, though fear clawed at her. The bond between them throbbed in sync with her heartbeat, both comforting and terrifying. Her system panel flickered again:
"Fatal Bond Detected – Life Risk: 95%"
Her hands shook. "Kael… what does this mean? Are we… going to die?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "Not if we fight smart. That bond—it's dangerous, but it's also our strength. Trust me."
Before Lyra could respond, the shadows surged, faster and more coordinated than before. Kael grabbed her hand, and instinctively, her magic reacted. The golden shield expanded, forcing back the darkness. Sparks of energy lanced through the air, illuminating the forest with a surreal glow.
Lyra noticed her system had updated:
"Skill Upgrade Unlocked: Cursed Bond Barrier – Reduces Curse Damage by 30%"
Her pulse quickened. The system was helping her—but only partially. The warnings remained, pulsing ominously in her vision.
Then, the divine figure spoke again, its voice like a thousand whispers layered over one another:
"Your bond is forbidden. Defy the laws of fate, and both will perish."
Lyra's stomach churned. "Fate… laws? But we didn't—"
"Shh!" Kael's hand clamped over hers. "Listen!"
The shadows seemed to respond to the figure, coalescing into a swirling vortex. The ground trembled beneath their feet. Lyra felt the bond pulse violently, almost painful, as if warning her of imminent danger.
Kael glanced at her, eyes sharp. "We need to move. Follow me. Stay close, and keep the shield active."
They ran, Lyra's boots pounding against the frosted forest floor. Every rustle in the trees, every whisper of wind, made her nerves tighten. The system continued to flash updates in her vision:
"Life Risk: 97% – Fatal Bond Approaching Maximum""Divine Intervention Detected – Countermeasures Recommended"
Lyra didn't fully understand what the numbers meant, only that the bond between her and Kael was the key to survival—and their greatest danger.
A sudden shadow lunged from above. Lyra barely had time to react, instinctively weaving magic around her. Sparks collided, sending her flying back. Kael's golden aura surged, catching her midair and propelling them both forward.
They landed hard, but Kael didn't release her. "We can't fight them head-on—they're too strong. We need to find shelter… or a way to counteract their power."
Lyra nodded, rubbing her shoulder. Her magic flared instinctively again, reacting to Kael's aura. The system pulsed:
"Cursed Bond Overload – Risk Critical"
The words made her stomach drop. Every heartbeat felt amplified, every movement synchronized with Kael's, and yet more dangerous than ever.
Suddenly, they stumbled into a clearing, and Lyra froze. At the center stood an ancient stone altar, covered in glowing runes. The air thrummed with power.
Kael's eyes widened. "This… this is forbidden territory. It's a relic of the ancient gods—places mortals are never meant to enter. Yet… I think it might help us."
Lyra glanced at the glowing inscriptions, feeling the magic respond to her presence. Her system pulsed with an alert:
"Ancient Relic Detected – Potential Skill Unlock"
Her heart leapt. Perhaps this was the key to counteracting the curse—or at least mitigating its deadly effects. But before she could approach, the ground shook violently. Shadows surged from the trees, faster and more numerous than ever.
The divine figure emerged from the shadows, massive and unstoppable, eyes glowing like molten gold. Its voice reverberated in her mind:
"One step closer, and your bond will be your death. Cease, or be annihilated."
Kael stepped in front of Lyra, his aura flaring. "We're not stopping," he said, voice firm despite the tension. "Together, we survive. Together, we fight."
Lyra's hands glowed brightly as her bond with Kael pulsed, almost painfully strong. The system flashed one last time before the chapter ended:
"Life Risk: 100% – Fatal Bond Imminent"
The divine figure raised its hand, shadows swirling around it, ready to strike. Lyra and Kael's powers flared in a brilliant, blinding light—the forest shaking violently around them.
And then—
Everything went black.