Lost Hearts In the Shadow Realm
The Decision
The night was not yet over, but the world felt different. The forest, which had once been familiar to Lara, now seemed foreign. The trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches bent by the wind as if whispering secrets. The ground was damp from the cold night air, and the mist creeping between the roots no longer felt like a mere veil of natural was a warning.
Lara’s heart still pounded in her chest, her hands trembling slightly. The light that had surged from her fingertips was gone, but she could still feel it within her a warmth, a power, pulsing deep inside her soul.
She lifted her gaze to Kaelan. His face was barely visible in the dim light, but his eyes gleamed as if he could see straight through her fear, her uncertainty and the unspoken questions in her mind.
Lara
She finally whispered.
Kaelan took a step closer. His cloak shifted in the wind, his silver hair falling into his face, but he ignored it
Kaelan
That was your true nature Lara
Kaelan
You are not just a healer, you carry the light within you
Lara
That can’t be I… i am no one special
Kaelan’s gaze was intense
Kaelan
Seraphina will hunt you now
The weight of his words settled heavily on her chest. The Witch Queen had already marked her as a threat. And now, she would not rest until Lara was under her control or dead.
A shiver ran through her body, but it wasn’t just fear. It was anger. Why should she run from something she didn’t even understand?
she asked suddenly, her voice sharper than she intended
Lara
You say she owns you but you’re here, you fought against her creatures. What do you want, Kaelan?
He looked at her, and for a moment, his mask slipped. She could see the war raging inside him the pull between duty and desire, between shadow and light.
he finally admitted, his voice rough and honest
Something in Lara tightened, she could feel the weight he carried, the invisible chains that bound him. And yet, he was here.
she said before she could stop herself
He let out a quiet, bitter laugh
Kaelan
You don’t know what you’re offering Lara
She stepped closer the cold of the night faded as she stood just inches from him. She could feel his warmth, hear the slight hitch in his breath.
Kaelan held her gaze for a long moment, as if searching for something within her, then slowly he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek
The world seemed to hold its breath. A spark passed between them not magic, but something deeper. A connection beyond words and beyond reason
Kaelan exhaled softly, as if he were surrendering to a battle he had already lost
Kaelan
I can’t protect you Lara
she met his gaze unwavering
Lara
Then we fight together
And in that moment, Kaelan knew there was no turning back
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