The shadows gathered around Kael's hand, spiraling upward like smoke reversing gravity.
They swirled faster and faster, drawn toward Lira's still chest.
Kael's heart pounded.
He had never feared anything.
Not the Forge.
Not the magi.
Not the hunters.
Not even death.
But this…
This terrified him.
"Lira," he whispered, brushing her hair aside. "If you can hear me… I'm sorry."
Her lips parted weakly. "Kael…?"
That tiny sound nearly stopped him.
He almost let her go.
Almost.
But her body trembled — and then went completely still.
Her heartbeat slowed.
Once.
Twice.
Kael felt something inside him snap.
"No."
His voice broke.
He placed his palm over her heart.
Shadows exploded outward, filling the air, circling them like a storm.
The ancient whispers grew louder:
"Lifeblood to shadowblood…
Light to darkness…
Two beings… bound as one…"
Kael's breath trembled, sweat running down his temple.
He pushed his power into the ritual.
"Take what you need," he growled. "Take from me."
The shadows obeyed.
They pierced his chest like black needles, drawing out a piece of his own essence—his life force. Kael gasped sharply, his body convulsing as shadows ripped through him.
His vision blurred.
His knees hit the ground.
Still, he did not stop.
He fed the ritual his strength, his blood, his very being, until the shadows pulsed with his heartbeat.
Then—
They sank into Lira.
Her back arched violently.
A breath tore from her throat.
Light burst from her pendant—
—silver meeting black.
The entire mountain path erupted in blinding radiance over a sea of darkness.
Kael shielded her with his body, letting the clash of magic tear into him instead of her.
The light faded slowly.
Silence settled.
Lira sagged against Kael's chest, limp but breathing.
Breathing.
Kael's shoulders shook.
He held her gently, forehead pressed to hers, whispering,
"You're alive. You're alive…"
Her eyelashes fluttered.
Softly—like a dream—she whispered his name:
"…Kael?"
He froze.
Her eyes opened.
But they were different.
Still hers.
Still warm.
Still gentle.
But the irises shimmered faintly with a shadow-glow — his shadow-glow.
Lira blinked, confused. "I… feel strange…"
Kael swallowed hard.
"You should."
She looked around, then down at their hands.
The moment her skin touched his—
A pulse shot through both of them.
Lira gasped.
Kael's eyes widened.
A single heartbeat.
Shared.
A tether of shadow-light between them.
Invisible to the world but unmistakably real.
"W-What was that?" she whispered, pulling her hand close.
Kael looked away, jaw tight.
"Your life… is bound to mine now."
Lira's lips parted, breath catching.
"Bound…?"
"If I die…" Kael said quietly, staring into the darkness, "you die."
She froze.
"And if you die… I break."
Her breath trembled. "Kael… what did you do?"
Kael finally met her gaze.
His eyes showed no regret — only fear of what this meant for her.
"I saved you," he said softly.
Lira stared at him, tears gathering in her lashes.
"You didn't save me," she whispered.
Kael's breath hitched.
"You chose me."
He had nothing to say.
The truth was heavier than any blade.
Lira leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his.
Her voice shook, but her hands cupped his face gently.
"Kael… thank you."
He stiffened, stunned.
No one had ever thanked him for anything.
Not for killing.
Not for surviving.
Not for saving.
The shadows behind him shivered in confusion.
Lira's thumb traced a small line across his cheek.
"Does it hurt?" she asked softly.
Kael closed his eyes.
"Always."
"Then let me share it," she whispered. "Like you shared your life."
Kael jerked sharply, pulling away.
"No," he said, voice breaking. "You can't. My darkness isn't something you can carry."
Lira reached for his hand.
Their fingers touched—
—another shared heartbeat hit them both.
Lira gasped, gripping her chest.
Kael stared at her in horror.
"You… you're feeling my pain."
Lira nodded slowly. "A little."
He shook his head violently.
"No. This is wrong. I should distance myself. If I stay close—"
Lira crawled closer and wrapped her arms around him.
Kael went rigid.
Completely still.
"Don't leave me," she whispered into his shoulder. "Not now. Not after everything."
Kael's breath trembled.
His shadow curled around her protectively — not attacking, not hurting, only holding.
For the first time in his life…
Kael leaned into someone's arms.
Someone who didn't fear him.
Someone who didn't want him for power.
Someone who stayed.
Lira's heartbeat echoed softly in his mind — a new tether he didn't understand, but couldn't let go of.
Kael whispered, barely audible:
"Sleep. I'll keep watch."
Lira's eyes drifted closed, trusting him completely.
And Kael…
Kael stayed awake, back pressed to the rock, Lira curled against his chest, shadows swirling around them in silent devotion.
Outside the cave, far off in the forest—
A hunter watched them from the shadows.
He whispered into a glowing crystal:
"The experiment has bonded with the Lightbearer girl.
They're becoming something else…
Something dangerous."
And far away, the Emperor smiled.