Chapter 29: A Farewell

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting warm hues of amber and violet over the village. At the edge of the forest, Kara stood in quiet contemplation, her figure silhouetted against the fading light. The time had come to leave.

Behind her, the villagers gathered, their expressions a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and a lingering fear of the unknown. Though they had come to respect and revere Kara for her bravery, the glowing light in her eyes and the aura of restrained power around her were a constant reminder of the burden she carried.

Kara offered a small smile, nodding to the villagers as they murmured their thanks and farewells. Slowly, they began to disperse, leaving only one person standing behind her: Reed.

He stayed silent as the others left, watching her with a conflicted expression. When they were alone, he finally stepped forward.

"You're really doing this," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the tension in his jaw.

"I have to," Kara replied, turning to face him. "The entity is bound to me now. If I stay, it will only be a matter of time before it finds a way to hurt someone else." She paused, her gaze softening. "I can't let that happen, Reed."

He nodded, though the motion was stiff. "I know," he said. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

Kara's lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. "I don't like it either."

Reed reached into his pocket and pulled out a small talisman, intricately carved from wood and inlaid with silver runes. He held it out to her. "For protection," he said simply.

Kara took the talisman, her fingers brushing against his. The warmth of his touch lingered, grounding her for a fleeting moment. She studied the intricate craftsmanship, recognizing the hours of care he must have put into making it. "Thank you," she whispered.

Reed hesitated, his hand lingering near hers. His chest rose and fell as though he were trying to summon the courage to speak. Finally, the words broke free.

"Kara," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "there's something I need to tell you before you go."

She looked up at him, her glowing eyes searching his face. "What is it?"

"I care about you," he said, the words tumbling out in a rush. "More than I've ever cared about anyone. And the thought of you walking into danger alone… it kills me."

Kara's breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. She opened her mouth to respond, but Reed wasn't finished.

"I know you think you have to do this on your own," he continued, his voice thick with emotion. "And maybe you're right. Maybe this is the only way to keep everyone safe. But I need you to know that you're not alone. Not really. Wherever this road takes you—whatever you face out there—I'll be here. Waiting for you."

Her resolve wavered as she looked at him, his face etched with determination and vulnerability. She wanted to tell him how much his words meant to her, how his presence had been her anchor through the storm. But the entity stirred within her, a cold reminder of the danger she posed.

"I don't know if I'll ever come back," she said finally, her voice trembling. "And if I do… I might not be the same person."

"I don't care," Reed said fiercely. "You'll still be you, Kara. And that's enough for me."

Tears pricked at her eyes, and she blinked them away, her throat tight with emotion. "Reed…" She hesitated, swallowing hard. "I can't ask you to wait for me. It wouldn't be fair."

"You're not asking," he said firmly. "I'm choosing. And I'll wait as long as it takes. However long you're gone—years, decades, forever—I'll be here. I'll be waiting."

The weight of his promise settled over her, heavy and comforting all at once. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Before she could think better of it, Kara closed the distance between them. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was tender but filled with unspoken words, a culmination of everything they had been through together.

Reed froze for only a second before wrapping his arms around her, pulling her closer. For a fleeting moment, the weight of the world disappeared, leaving only the two of them and the warmth they shared.

When they finally pulled apart, Reed's hands lingered on her shoulders, his forehead resting against hers. His voice was a whisper. "Come back to me. No matter how long it takes."

Kara nodded, her tears finally spilling over. "I'll try," she said, her voice breaking.

As the first stars began to appear in the darkening sky, she stepped back, breaking the moment. She turned toward the forest, the talisman clutched tightly in her hand.

"Take care of the village," she said, glancing back at Reed one last time.

"And you take care of yourself," he replied, his voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes.

Kara nodded and stepped into the shadows of the forest, her figure gradually disappearing from view.

Reed stood there long after she was gone, his eyes fixed on the place where she had vanished. The talisman he had made for her was gone with her, but a part of her remained, etched into his heart. And no matter how long it took, he would wait—because some promises were worth keeping.