Chapter 10: The Memory That Bleeds

They camped near the edge of the forest, away from the cursed reach of the Spire. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across their tired faces.

Kael roasted something suspiciously bird-like over the flames. "So… illusions that feel real, whispering pendant nightmares, and Liam tossing his sword like a hero in a cheesy play. All in a day's work."

Nyra giggled softly. "You have to admit, that throw was kinda impressive."

Liam didn't respond.

He sat near the edge of the clearing, his pendant clutched in both hands. It hadn't stopped glowing since Vexa appeared.

Aeris glanced at him. "He hasn't said a word since we left the Spire."

"He's remembering something," Nyra said quietly. "Or… something's being forced on him."

Liam's thoughts were not his own.

In his mind, the world spun. He stood in a burning village, a crying child in his arms, and a hand reaching out to him — soft, trembling, bleeding.

"Protect him, Elira. If I don't make it through the portal—"

A rumbling. Screams.

Then darkness.

"Liam… Liam… wake up…"

His mother's voice, warm… and fading.

He jolted awake, drenched in sweat.

Aeris was beside him instantly. "What happened? Talk to me."

"I… I saw her again," he whispered. "The woman. She had the pendant too. And… I think she gave me away."

A pause.

Nyra and Kael approached, their faces tense.

"She said Elira," Liam continued. "She told Elira to protect me."

Aeris froze. "Elira… the name of the healer from the scrolls? The one from the War of the Split Realms?"

Kael scratched his head. "Wait—are we saying Liam was given to a legendary protector? During the portal collapse?"

"I was a baby," Liam said, breathing hard. "I think I was born during the war… and something happened. The portal broke. We got separated."

Nyra placed her hand on her heart. "That would explain the whispering… the connection to the fragments… and why Sareth seems to be watching you."

Kael whistled. "So Liam might be the child of one of the Realm's old heroes?"

Aeris stood up, tense. "We need answers. We've been chasing fragments… but now I think we were meant to."

Liam looked down at the pendant.

It pulsed once — and then shattered.

Everyone jumped back.

A surge of energy exploded from it, forming a dome of memory around Liam. He floated, eyes white, caught in a flood of visions.

A destroyed temple…A woman bleeding beneath a silver moon…A man with white eyes whispering to a sleeping baby…A shadow with a thousand hands reaching from the rift…

Then silence.

The dome dropped. Liam collapsed into Aeris's arms.

Kael blinked. "...Well, that was mildly horrifying."

Liam sat up slowly. His voice was cracked.

"There's… a place. A ruined field. A marker stone. I don't know why… but I feel like I'll find more there."

Aeris nodded. "Then that's where we go."

But before they could pack, a chilling wind swept through the trees.

Then—laughter.

From the shadows stepped a monstrous figure, eight feet tall, skin like black marble and horns curling backward. A cruel grin split his face.

"Going somewhere?"

Kael unsheathed his sword. "Let me guess—Evil Henchman #2?"

"No, no," the figure said, bowing mockingly. "You may call me Thorne — General of the Bleeding Legion… and humble servant of Lord Sareth."

Aeris snarled. "He sent you."

"Oh, I came on my own," Thorne replied. "I heard whispers that the boy had awakened. Couldn't resist saying hello."

Nyra's hand lit with summoning runes. "Back off, or I'll feed you to Mog."

Thorne smirked. "Adorable. But I didn't come to fight…"

He raised his hand. A dark sigil burned in the sky.

"…I came to test you."

Black creatures erupted from the ground — long-limbed horrors made of smoke and bone.

Liam drew his blade. His arms trembled. "I don't think I can control it again…"

"You don't have to," Aeris said, stepping beside him. "We fight together."

The battle was brutal.

Kael took the lead, wind swirling around his sword. Nyra's summon — a giant spectral eagle — dived and struck with blinding light. Aeris danced between the beasts like a storm.

Liam struggled — his power flared too wildly, sometimes hurting friend and foe alike. At one point, he blasted a shadow beast into dust… but also scorched the trees around Nyra.

"I… I'm sorry!"

She gave him a thumbs-up mid-duck. "You'll get it under control!"

Thorne watched, amused. "He's still broken. How delightful."

Liam gritted his teeth. No. Not broken… just incomplete.

The battle turned in their favor — but as the last beast fell, Thorne casually clapped.

"Well done. You've earned… another nightmare."

He vanished in a vortex of ash — but not before planting a dark mark in the ground. It pulsed, echoing with malevolent energy.

"What… was that?" Aeris asked.

Nyra's eyes widened. "A tracker."

Kael cursed. "They'll know where we go next."

Liam stood over the mark, then slowly drove his sword into it.

"I don't care. Let them follow. I want answers… and I'm done running."

The mark fizzled.

Later that night, as the group slept restlessly, Liam stood watch — eyes toward the moon.

In the distance, a lone figure stood beneath a tree — silver hair glowing faintly.

Elira.

Watching.

Protecting.

And whispering his name.