The darkness of the shadowed path stretched endlessly before them.
Every step was a test—an obstacle. Whispering spirits drifted around Sade, their voices tempting her, taunting her, trying to pry fear from her heart.
But something had changed.
Sade no longer felt alone.
Tunde walked beside her, his presence steady and strong.
When her confidence wavered, he held her hand.
When the shadows closed in, he shielded her.
And slowly… Sade realized something she hadn't before.
She trusted him. Completely.
The path narrowed, twisting like a serpent.
Shadows lunged from every corner, testing her will, trying to drain her light.
"Focus on me," Tunde said.
"Breathe with me. Let the fear pass through."
Sade nodded.
She felt her glow pulse in rhythm with his aura.
Every time they combined their energy, the shadows recoiled.
They passed whispering spirits—lost souls calling out, trapped in eternal fear.
Sade reached out her hands.
Her light brushed them.
Some vanished, freed from their torment.
Tunde glanced at her, impressed.
"You're stronger than you think."
Sade blushed, a faint smile appearing despite the danger.
"I… couldn't do it without you."
They stopped near a small glimmering pond, the water reflecting their glowing forms.
For a moment, the world felt calm.
No shadows. No danger. Just the two of them.
Tunde looked at Sade.
"You're amazing," he said softly.
"Even in the darkest places, your light doesn't fade."
Sade felt warmth spread through her chest.
It wasn't just light…
It was something deeper. Something she hadn't expected.
She looked into Tunde's eyes.
"Even if we're fighting something I don't understand… I feel safe with you."
He smiled gently.
"You don't have to face it alone. Not ever."
And for the first time since the accident, Sade felt hope.
Real hope, the light's up her soul.
As they continued walking, side by side, the shadows seemed to hesitate.
Perhaps even they could sense the bond forming between them.
Sade's pulse matched Tunde's light.
Every step forward strengthened her resolve.
Every glance between them deepened their connection.
The shadow waited somewhere ahead, patient and watching.
But Sade knew she wasn't the same girl who had entered this realm hours ago.
She was stronger. Braver.
And, somehow, not alone.
The journey through the shadowed path had begun—not only to face the devourer of souls,
but to discover the depth of her own power…
and the bond she was forming with the boy who walked between worlds.