The Devourer lunged toward Kael and Lira, its massive claws tearing through the ground.
Kael pulled Lira close and rolled them out of the way just in time.
The earth where they stood exploded.
Lira coughed from the dust.
"Kael—we can't outrun that thing!"
Kael got to his feet and pulled her up.
"We don't outrun it. We survive together."
The Seer stood behind them, both hands raised.
A blast of wind pushed the Devourer back—but only for a second.
The creature roared and slammed its claws into the earth again, angry and hungry.
Lira grabbed Kael's arm.
"Why does it want us?!"
The Seer answered without looking at them:
"It wants the bond.
Your powers together make it stronger."
Kael gritted his teeth.
"So it wants to eat our magic?"
The Seer shook his head.
"No. It wants to BREAK the bond… and take the energy left behind."
Lira's legs shook.
"If it breaks the bond… will we die?"
Kael didn't know the answer.
And that scared him.
A shadowy claw swiped at them again.
Kael pulled Lira aside, but the ground cracked under their feet.
They slid down a short slope and hit the dirt.
"Are you hurt?" Kael asked quickly.
Lira shook her head, even though she was shaking.
"No… but Kael… I can feel something. The bond is reacting."
Kael paused.
"How?"
Lira touched her chest with both hands.
"It feels like something is pulling… trying to separate us."
Kael helped her stand.
"Stay with me. I won't let it break us."
The Devourer lifted its massive head.
Its red eyes focused directly on Lira.
She stepped back, terrified.
"It's looking at me…"
Kael moved in front of her instantly.
"You want something? Take it from ME!"
The Devourer roared so loud the trees shook.
The Seer called out:
"Don't provoke it! You'll only feed its hunger!"
Kael didn't care.
No creature human or monster was taking Lira.
But then
A sudden sharp pain struck Kael's heart.
He gasped, dropping to one knee.
"Kael?!" Lira knelt beside him.
The Seer shouted,
"The Devourer is pulling at the bond! Fight it, Kael!"
Kael clenched his teeth as shadow and light flickered violently around him.
His vision blurred.
He felt Lira's heartbeat pounding inside his chest fast, scared, uneven.
Lira held his face with trembling hands.
"Kael look at me. Stay with me. Please."
Kael could barely breathe.
"It's… trying to separate us," he whispered.
Lira hugged him tightly.
"No! I won't let it!"
Their bond glowed faintly silver and black.
The Devourer roared again, shaking the ground even harder.
The Seer stepped forward, placing a glowing symbol on the ground.
A barrier of wind formed around Kael and Lira.
"Hurry!" the Seer yelled.
"Strengthen your bond! It's the only way to fight it!"
Lira looked at Kael, tears in her eyes.
"Kael… please… don't leave me."
He pulled her close despite the pain.
"I'm not leaving you. Ever."
Their light and shadow mixed again
brighter this time, stronger.
The Devourer clawed at the barrier, trying to break through.
The Seer shouted again:
"Hold each other! The bond responds to closeness!"
Lira wrapped both arms around Kael.
Kael held her tighter than ever before.
Their combined power surged
not exploding outward,
but strengthening the bond inside them.
The pain eased.
Their breathing matched.
Their hearts synced again.
The Devourer let out a frustrated roar.
The Seer lowered his hands, shocked.
"Incredible… your bond resisted the Devourer."
Lira looked at Kael, relief filling her eyes.
"It stopped… Kael, it stopped!"
But Kael wasn't looking at her.
He was staring at the Devourer.
Because the creature was slowly pulling back…
Not in fear
but as if it had just realized something important.
The Seer's voice trembled as he spoke:
"It understands now."
Lira frowned.
"Understands what?"
The Seer swallowed hard.
"That your bond is not weak."
"It is the one thing that can kill it."
Kael's eyes widened.
Lira's breath caught.
And for the first time
The Devourer stepped back in fear.