5.Fate

As Adrian wrestled with his past, Lila too found herself lost in memories. She recalled the first time she had met Adrian. She had been young then, training under her family's strict guidance. Her parents had spoken of a promise—a promise of marriage between their families.

She had not fully understood the weight of that promise until years later, when she learned of Adrian's parents' deaths. Her own parents had wanted to support him, but their duty as ancient guardians had restricted their actions. Instead, they had prepared her, shaping her into someone who could aid him when the time came.

She remembered the night before she left to find Adrian. Her mother's words echoed in her mind. "He is your betrothed, Lila. Fate has bound you together, just as it did with our families. Help him, guide him. He has suffered much, but he is strong."

Her father had been more pragmatic. "He will not trust easily. Be patient. He may not remember the promise, but in time, he will understand."

Lila exhaled and returned to the present. Adrian sat with his head lowered, a distant, cold anger in his expression. She knew that look—it was the same one he had when he fought, when he was drowning in the past.

"Adrian,You were lost in thought,," she called gently.

Adrian exhaled, forcing a smirk. "Just reminiscing. Nothing important."

She offered a small smile but she didn't look convinced. "Come on, we need to keep moving."

He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. Let's go."

Together, they stepped deeper into the dungeon, the weight of unspoken promises and buried pasts lingering between them.