The morning sun cut through the mist in thin, silver ribbons, painting the valley with streaks of light. Ash rubbed her eyes and stretched, muscles aching from yesterday's trial. The memory of Ren stepping in to save her—the rule-breaking, life-risking move—kept replaying in her mind.
"You're quiet," Ren said from the shadows of the rocks, watching her. His sword was sheathed, but the tension in his stance spoke of readiness.
Ash turned, smirking. "Quiet? Me? Never. I'm just… reflecting on your reckless heroics, sword boy."
Ren's brow twitched. "It was necessary. You would've died otherwise."
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Necessary? Sounds like someone's angling for punishment from heaven. Or trying to get on my good side."
Ren didn't answer. His gaze scanned the horizon, sharp and calculating. "Do not underestimate the trials ahead. They will test more than your strength."
Ash glanced down at her chest. The crystal pulse felt stronger this morning, almost like it was urging her forward. "Yeah… I can feel it. The crystal is… impatient."
Ren's eyes flickered to hers. "You're not just feeling it. You're part of it. That mark binds you to fate… to me. Don't forget that."
Ash's heart skipped. She looked away, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Right. Fate… and me. Got it. Duly noted."
A Sudden Surge
They had barely taken a few steps along the narrow valley trail when the air shifted. A pulse of energy hit them like a wave, and Ash stumbled back. The mark on her chest glowed violently, golden light spilling around her fingers.
"Fiends?" she asked, raising her hands.
Ren's eyes narrowed. "Not yet. Something stronger. Be ready."
Before she could react, the ground split open in a jagged line, and a shadowed figure emerged. Taller than any fiend they had faced, its body seemed woven from night itself, glowing faintly with red veins of energy.
Ash froze. That's… huge.
Ren moved instantly, placing himself between her and the entity. "Stay close. Don't act unless I signal."
Ash's fingers tingled with power. The mark pulsed, urging her forward. She clenched her fists. "You mean… I can do something?"
Ren's eyes didn't waver. "Focus. Timing is everything."
First Coordinated Attack
The shadow surged forward, and Ren moved like lightning, sword arcs tracing golden ribbons that cut through the air. Ash mirrored his movements as best she could, her shields flickering with bursts of golden light. The energy of her mark reacted to Ren's strikes, amplifying her defenses.
"You're… actually decent at this," Ren muttered, blocking a swipe from the shadow.
Ash smirked. "Decent? I'm amazing when life and death are on the line. Who knew?"
Ren's lips twitched. Not now, he thought. Focus.
Together, they managed to corner the shadow near the cliff's edge. Ash hesitated for a moment—then let the mark surge, blasting a wave of golden light that forced the shadow back.
Ren's eyes widened. "You controlled it… perfectly."
Ash grinned, chest heaving. "Yep. Just call me the little lightning bolt of destiny."
Ren rolled his eyes but didn't contradict her. He knew better than to break her teasing mood—it kept her sharp.
Emotional Confession
After the shadow dissolved into mist, the valley fell quiet. Ash leaned against a rock, breathing heavily, eyes wide with adrenaline. Ren watched her, expression unreadable—but his gaze lingered longer than usual.
"You were reckless," he said finally. "But… coordinated. Better than I expected."
Ash laughed softly. "Reckless? Coordinated? Sounds like you're complimenting me now. Should I take notes?"
Ren's voice softened, almost a whisper. "Don't tempt me."
Ash's cheeks warmed. "Hmm. Noted. But… thanks. For the save yesterday. I don't… I don't know how to repay you for that."
Ren's eyes flickered, distant for a moment. "Your survival is repayment enough. But… don't mistake it for anything else. You're… important. But I cannot risk breaking more rules."
Ash swallowed. The intensity in his eyes—the unspoken worry—made her chest tighten. She forced a grin. "Yeah, yeah. No rule-breaking. Got it. Maybe."
Ren said nothing. The silence was heavy, yet comforting.
Foreshadowing Heaven's Punishment
As they moved further along the trail, the sky darkened unnaturally, clouds swirling overhead. Ash glanced up. "Uh… that's ominous. I mean… even for a fantasy cliffwalk, this looks dramatic."
Ren's gaze sharpened. "The heavens are aware. My actions yesterday… will not go unnoticed. There will be consequences."
Ash shivered, both from the chill and the weight of his words. "Great. So fate loves us and heaven hates us."
Ren's lips twitched faintly. "You make it sound like a joke. But yes. The trial is far from over. And the worse part… the next phase will test our hearts, not just our bodies."
Ash gulped. "Hearts, huh? Great. That's exactly what I needed. Emotional trauma on top of near-death experiences."
Ren's eyes softened for the briefest second. "You will survive. And maybe… we will both survive."
Ash's heart thumped. She looked away, trying to hide the warmth rising in her chest. Survive… with him?
And for the first time, she realized: whatever fate had planned, it had bound them together so tightly that neither could escape—and maybe, just maybe, that wasn't entirely a bad thing.