Chapter 8: Echoes of the Past

The dawn broke slowly, streaks of pale gold piercing through the canopy above. Sera woke to the sound of Kael sharpening his sword. He sat by the remnants of the fire, his expression distant, lost in thought.

She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Did you even sleep?"

Kael glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I'm used to staying awake. Old habits die hard."

Sera stretched, wincing slightly as the events of the night before replayed in her mind. The light, the specters, and the overwhelming power that had surged through her—it felt like a dream, but the weight of it lingered in her chest.

"What happened last night?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Kael set his sword aside and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Your power—your light—awakened. It's the same force you wielded in our past life. It's why the Shadow King fears you."

Sera frowned, her fingers brushing against the glowing pendant around her neck. "It felt… like it wasn't just mine. Like it belonged to someone else too."

Kael hesitated, his silver eyes searching hers. "In a way, it does. The bond we share—it ties our fates together. Your light is linked to my oath. As long as I'm alive, that power will always respond to protect you."

She blinked, her heart skipping a beat. "So, it's not just me?"

"No," Kael said firmly. "But you're the one who controls it. The light comes from you. I'm just… a shield."

Sera wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or terrified. The weight of that power was immense, and knowing it was tied to Kael's presence only added to the complexity of their bond.

"Do you ever wish you didn't have to carry this burden?" she asked softly.

Kael's expression darkened, his gaze dropping to the ground. "Every day. But I'd bear it a thousand times over if it meant keeping you safe."

His words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity. Sera didn't know how to respond, so she simply nodded, letting the moment pass in silence.

The Road to the Mountains

By midday, the forest began to thin, and the landscape shifted to rolling hills. In the distance, the jagged peaks of the Forbidden Mountains loomed, their snow

-capped tips piercing the sky like ancient sentinels. The sight filled Sera with equal parts awe and dread.

"That's where we're going?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kael nodded. "The Forbidden Peaks. The Sanctum of Stars is hidden somewhere within. The closer we get, the more dangerous it will become."

Sera swallowed hard, trying to push down the knot of anxiety in her chest. The peaks seemed impossibly far, and yet the pull in her heart—the same pull that had awakened the night before—urged her forward.

As they walked, the path grew rocky and uneven. The air became colder, and the wind carried with it a low, haunting hum that sent shivers down Sera's spine.

"Do you hear that?" she asked, glancing at Kael.

He nodded, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. "It's the mountains. The locals say the wind carries the voices of those who've tried to reach the Sanctum and failed."

Sera frowned. "That's comforting."

Kael gave her a faint smirk. "It's just superstition. But the dangers ahead are real. The Shadow King will have set traps, and his minions won't be far behind."

They walked in silence for a while, the tension between them thickening as the terrain became steeper. Sera's legs ached, and her breath came in short gasps, but she pushed herself to keep pace with Kael.

As they reached a narrow ridge, the hum of the wind grew louder, almost as if it were alive. Suddenly, Kael stopped, holding up a hand.

"Something's wrong," he said, his eyes scanning the path ahead.

Before Sera could ask what he meant, the ground beneath them began to tremble. Rocks tumbled down the ridge, and a deafening roar echoed through the air.

"Get back!" Kael shouted, grabbing Sera's arm and pulling her away just as the ground where they had stood gave way, revealing a deep, jagged chasm.

From the darkness of the chasm rose a massive figure—a golem of stone and ice, its glowing blue eyes fixed on them. It let out another roar, shaking the very air around them, and raised a colossal arm to strike.

"Stay behind me!" Kael commanded, drawing his sword.

The golem's arm came crashing down, and Kael dodged it with inhuman speed, slashing at the creature's wrist. The blade left a faint mark on the stone, but the golem seemed unfazed.

Sera watched in horror as Kael fought, his every movement precise but strained. The golem was massive, and its attacks were relentless. She felt the same warmth in her chest that she'd felt the night before, the pendant around her neck glowing faintly.

"Kael!" she shouted. "I can help!"

"No!" he yelled back, narrowly dodging another strike. "It's too dangerous!"

But Sera couldn't just stand by and watch. The pull inside her grew stronger, and without thinking, she reached for the light within her.

Her hands began to glow, and a sphere of golden energy formed between them. It pulsed with warmth and power, filling her with a sense of purpose.

The golem turned its glowing eyes toward her, momentarily distracted. Kael took advantage of the opening, driving his sword into its chest. The creature let out a guttural roar but didn't fall.

Sera stepped forward, her heart pounding. "Get out of the way!" she called to Kael.

He hesitated for a moment before leaping back, just as Sera released the sphere of light. It struck the golem square in the chest, exploding in a burst of golden energy.

The creature let out one final roar before crumbling into a pile of rubble, the glowing light in its eyes fading.

Sera fell to her knees, the light in her hands flickering out. She felt drained, as though the energy had taken everything she had.

Kael was at her side in an instant, his face a mixture of relief and anger. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, trying to catch her breath. "No… I'm fine. But what was that?"

Kael's expression softened, though his voice was firm. "That was your power. But you're still learning to control it. Don't take risks like that again."

Sera met his gaze, her own eyes filled with determination. "I couldn't just stand by and watch. We're in this together, remember?"

Kael sighed but didn't argue. Instead, he helped her to her feet, his grip steady and reassuring.

"Let's keep moving," he said. "The Sanctum is still a long way off, and there will be more obstacles ahead."

As they continued their journey, the bond between them grew stronger, forged in the fires of danger and trust. But in the back of Sera's mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.

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To be continue....