The memory of Seris lingered in Arin's mind like a half-remembered dream. Her touch, her voice, the pull of her bond… it was intoxicating, confusing, and impossible to ignore.
Lyara walked beside him in silence. The bond between them hummed faintly, steadying him. She didn't speak, but her presence grounded him — a quiet reminder that, for now, someone here was real, tangible, and alive.
"Do you feel it?" Arin asked quietly, glancing at her.
Lyara's eyes flicked to him. "Feel what?"
"The pull… the connection. Not just the bond with you. With her too — Seris. It's like the world itself is… tugging at me."
Lyara's lips pressed into a thin line. "Be careful. That pull isn't just desire. It's power. The gods and their remnants can manipulate hearts, souls… and minds. You've barely begun to understand what bonds can do."
Arin swallowed. "Then I need to learn faster."
Her gaze softened, just a fraction, before she stepped forward. "Then listen. Every step we take in this world matters. Every bond, every choice, every touch… it changes everything."
The Aelthwood loomed ahead, trees taller and older than anything Arin had ever seen. Their trunks glowed faintly, veins of silver pulsing like veins of magic. The wind whispered through crimson leaves, carrying hints of old warnings — or perhaps invitations.
Lyara halted at the edge of a clearing. "We go deeper," she said. "But once we do, we're in the heart of the forest. Few who enter emerge unchanged. And the creatures… they can sense the bond. They'll test you."
Arin's pulse quickened. So this is the next test. And I'll face it… with her.