The silence after Sahr's proposal is almost palpable.
Dravik burns with rage.
Sahr watches, patient.
Kael trembles, ready to explode.
Lunaya senses three energies around her.
Three instincts.
Three dangers.
And in the middle...
a heartbeat.
One she already knows.
Kael.
His breath matches hers.
His gaze, golden and feverish, hooks hers like a rope.
The whole world seems to shrink around them.
"Lunaya...he whispers.
Don't choose anyone if you're not sure."
His voice is broken.
Almost painful.
She feels her chest tighten.
Sahr crosses his arms.
"If she doesn't decide, we will.
And I doubt you'll like the result, wolf."
Dravik stamps his foot: the rock cracks.
"I said she's coming with me.
Her power responds to mine."
"You don't understand subtlety, dragon, replies Sahr.
It's not a question of strength."
Kael stands in front of Lunaya, his fangs almost bared.
"Leave her alone.
She's not a trophy."
Lunaya closes her eyes.
She inhales.
A gentle warmth spreads through her belly.
It's instinct.
Not reasoning.
Not calculation.
A calling.
When she opens them again, her voice is clear, calm, unquestionable.
"Kael."
The three men freeze.
Kael takes a step back, as if struck.
"Me?" he whispers.
She nods.
"I want you to train me.
You first."
The dragon roars.
"Are you mocking me?!
You're choosing the weakest?"
Kael bares his teeth.
"Say that again."
"With pleasure."
The two face each other, ready to fight, but Sahr stops them with a wave of his hand.
"Calm down.
This choice was predictable."
He turns to Lunaya with a smirk.
"The instinct of the heart is always the first to speak."
She stares at him, disturbed by his gaze that seems to understand everything.
"It's not... sentimental," she begins.
"Yes, it is, Sahr interrupts gently.
And that's normal."
Kael lowers his eyes, his cheeks slightly flushed.
He says nothing.
But his breath... breaks.
Dravik sneers, darkly.
"Very well.
The human wants to play at listening to her heart?
Then go ahead, wolf.
Show her what your ''instinct'' can do."
The tone is mocking, but beneath the taunt...
there is genuine concern.
Lunaya steps toward Kael.
He remains motionless, breathing heavily.
She places her hand on his chest.
And then,
A shock.
A gentle wave.
Warm.
Alive.
Kael gasps.
His eyes turn golden, right down to the iris.
His veins glow slightly beneath his skin.
"L-Lunaya...
what are you doing?"
"I'm not doing anything, she replies.
It's you."
She removes her hand, and the connection is severed.
Kael recoils suddenly, as if he had received an electric shock.
Sahr frowns.
"Interesting..."
Dravik growls.
"No.
Dangerous."
Lunaya watches her fingers tremble.
"What was that?"
Sahr answers first.
"The heart.
Kael's instinct.
It responded to yours."
Kael shakes his head, panicked.
"But... that's not normal.
It shouldn't be."
Dravik slams his tail against the rock.
"A bond already forming?
That's impossible!"
Kael moves toward her, his hands trembling.
"Lunaya...
I didn't force anything on you.
I swear.
I"
She puts a finger to his lips.
"I know."
He closes his eyes, relieved... but terrified.
Sahr watches the scene in silence, then says:
"Very well.
The choice has been made.
Training begins at dawn."
"Without you two, Kael insists.
I want her alone."
Dravik bursts out laughing.
"In your dreams, wolf."
Sahr smiles coldly.
"We'll be there to watch.
For her safety."
Kael growls.
Lunaya clenches her fists.
This choice... is hers.
But it will come at a high price.
It's only when she steps out of the cave that she feels it.
A shiver.
A breath.
A presence.
In the shadows behind them...
A figure watches them.
A silver raven on his shoulder.
His eyes shine like living ash.
Erynd.
The last contender.
The cursed seer.
The Ashborn.
He whispers:
"She chose the heart.
Interesting.
The king's downfall is near."
His smile is... disturbing.
Then he disappears into the night.