Shadows Between Us

A thin mist enveloped the forest, adding a creeping cold that seeped into the bones. Anya stood frozen, her body trembling—not from the biting air, but from the reality that had just struck her.

Kaelan remained in place, his face etched with deep sorrow. But to Anya, all she saw was deception.

"I can't trust you," she murmured, more to herself than to him.

Kaelan opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Anya could see the struggle in his eyes—the overwhelming guilt, as if he had been carrying this burden for far too long.

"I have to go," she finally whispered.

Kaelan tensed. "No, Anya. We have to stay together. It's too dangerous for you to leave alone."

Anya let out a bitter laugh. "Dangerous? I feel more threatened by being with you than anything out there!"

Kaelan reached out, but Anya stepped back. There was now a chasm between them, one that felt impossible to cross.

"I need time," she said, her voice barely steady.

Kaelan looked at her, as if wanting to hold her back, but he said nothing more.

With a storm raging inside her, Anya turned and ran into the forest, leaving Kaelan in the silence of his regret.

The deeper she went, the darker the forest became. Anya had no idea where she was going—she just needed to get away.

Her mind spun, replaying everything she had just learned.

Raeshka… the past… her other self… and Kaelan.

Kaelan, who had once killed her.

A strange pain twisted in her chest. How could she trust someone who had destroyed her in another life? What if he was only waiting for the right moment to do it again?

Her steps slowed.

No.

Kaelan wasn't like that.

But did she truly know him?

Anya clenched her chest, trying to steady her breathing. She needed to think.

But before she could regain control, another voice crept into her mind.

"Do you feel betrayed?"

Anya froze. She spun around, her eyes scanning the darkness around her.

There was no one.

Yet she had heard it clearly—inside her head.

"You're starting to doubt him, aren't you? You're right. You can't trust anyone."

Anya stepped back, her hands shaking. "Who are you?"

The voice laughed.

"I am a part of you."

And suddenly, the shadows around her moved.

Anya held her breath as the figure emerged from the darkness.

A woman—no, herself—but different.

The same face, but golden eyes gleamed with cunning amusement. Dressed in black, a wild blue flame flickered in her hand.

Anya felt her knees weaken. "What… what is this?"

Her dark twin smirked. "I am you. I am the part of you that you've been trying to forget."

Anya shook her head, stepping back. "No. This is just a trick."

"Of course not."

The shadow stepped closer, eyes full of curiosity.

"You're starting to remember, aren't you? I am Nasha. I am the power that sleeps within you. You can deny me all you want, but in the end, I will rise."

A cold sweat trickled down Anya's neck.

Nasha grinned. "And do you know what's the funniest part? Kaelan has known about this from the beginning."

Anya's heart pounded faster.

"That's impossible," she whispered.

"Is it?" Nasha raised an eyebrow. "Then why has he hidden this from you? Why has he never told you about your past?"

The world around Anya spun.

Kaelan had been keeping something from her. That was clear.

But… could it be true that Kaelan had known about her from the start?

Nasha laughed. "Your face is priceless right now, Anya. You're starting to doubt him, aren't you?"

"Shut up!"

Anya raised her hand, ready to attack—but before she could, Nasha vanished in an instant.

All that remained was the echo of her laughter, ringing inside Anya's mind.

Anya stumbled and fell to the ground.

Her head throbbed. Her heart pounded wildly.

She couldn't think straight.

Everything felt wrong.

Betrayal wrapped around her chest like a vice, squeezing tighter and tighter.

She couldn't go back to Kaelan.

Not now.

Not when so many lies stood between them.

And worse…

She was starting to fear herself.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Kaelan stood with clenched fists.

He could feel another presence following Anya.

Something had awakened.

He gritted his teeth.

Raeshka had set something in motion—something that should never have happened.

Kaelan looked down at the crystal sphere in his hand. The light inside swirled slowly, as if hiding secrets deeper than he could comprehend.

He had to find Anya before it was too late.

But deep in his heart, he knew one thing.

When he found her…

He might not be the only one who did.