Kyara's POVThe sensation of falling was intense, with air rushing past me so swiftly that I couldn't catch my breath. My thoughts raced, with pieces of the man's speech still resonating in my ears: "Kyara, choose wisely." Everything relies on it."What are the options? What price? I wasn't sure what I was meant to decide."Kyara!" Eric's voice sounded distant, barely audible over the scream of wind and pandemonium, yet it was enough to ground me, if only somewhat. I stared into the flowing darkness, anxious to spot him. I could sense him close, yet every time I stretched out, my hands just hit the air.The descent ceased as soon as it had begun.I landed with such power that I lost my breath, the impact resonating throughout my whole body. The ground under me was cold and hard, but at least substantial. Groaning, I forced myself to my hands and knees, my head spinning as I attempted to take in my surroundings."Kyara!" Eric's voice sounded crisper and closer. I turned just in time to
Kyara's POVThe figure slowly rose from the earth's rift, the flames licking its shape but not consuming it. The brightness was dazzling, so I had to hide my eyes until the blaze lessened slightly, exposing a figure who appeared both human and unearthly. Its body flashed as if composed of molten fire, and its eyes shone like twin suns, pinning me in place.My instincts warned me to go, but I couldn't take my look away. My pulse pounded in my chest, but my feet stayed firmly rooted, and when it spoke, its voice was like a crackling fire, deep and resonant, echoing through my bones."You have summoned me, bearer of the flame," it said softly, focusing on me."I didn't summon anyone," I said, my voice shaken but adamant. My palm clenched around the pendant, its warmth providing a lifeline in the face of this creature's intimidating presence. "Who—what—are you?"The being tilted its head, causing flames to flicker. "I am the Keeper of the Eternal Flame, the overseer of decisions and outco
Kyara's POVThe hush following the Keeper's instruction was total. The nothingness surrounding me seemed oppressive as if the whole fabric of this bizarre planet was holding its breath while waiting for my choice. My pulse raced, each beat louder than the previous, yet my thinking was jumbled—Eric's voice rang in my head, mingled with the Keeper's foreboding words."To save him, you must remove yourself from the blaze. To rescue yourself, you must let him go."The words pierced me like shards of glass. What sort of option was that? Regardless, someone would lose. In either case, something significant would break.Eric's form flashed in the darkness, his green eyes angry as he yelled something I couldn't understand. My mirror on the other side remained still, grasping the bright pendant, its stare as fixed as the Keeper's fire eyes had been seconds before.The pendant pulsed in my chest, like a whisper borne by a breeze, and its heat increased. A recollection rushed forward, one I hadn
Kyara’s POVThe air between us crackled with unsaid tension as Eric's palm lingered on mine, the weight of the moment pushing harder than the quiet around us. His fingertips stroked my knuckles, methodical but careful, as if he was looking for permission or perhaps anchoring himself in the maelstrom we had found ourselves in. I couldn't tell, but his warm touch kept me present."Do you trust me?" He spoke quietly but forcefully as if he already knew the answer but needed to hear it from me.It wasn't an easy question, especially after everything we'd gone through. Trust was more than a word; it was a lifeline, and in this bizarre, twisting maze of shadows and secrets, it may be the only thing keeping us alive."I want to," I said softly. My chest constricted as I averted his look, well aware of the weight of my words. I was unsure if I was protecting him, myself, or both.Eric came in closer, his voice softer now, like a velvet thread threading its way through my shredded thoughts. "W
Kyara’s POVThe blackness was not just around me; it was also within me, coiling deep into my chest and anchoring itself as if it belonged there. My breaths were rapid and short as I tried to make sense of the vacuum that was pulling us further and deeper. I gripped Eric's hand as if it were the only thing keeping me grounded in reality. Maybe it was."Kyara," his voice broke through the suffocating silence, calm yet insistent. "Don't let it get into your head. Maintain your attention on me. "You are stronger than this."He did not express it with a patronizing or friendly tone. There was no sugar-coating or fake softness. Just unrelenting certainty that would not allow me to descend into my fear. It wasn't a plea, but rather an order that I didn't realize I needed."I don't feel strong," I said, barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm falling apart."Eric turned to face me, his features barely visible against the dark, swirling shadows. But his grip on my hand tightened firmly, and
Kyara’s POVThis time, the blackness was not empty. It was alive, throbbing, and living, and wrapped itself about me like a second skin. My chest clenched, and each breath was short and difficult as if the nothingness intended to suffocate me. I couldn't see or feel Eric. I was alone—again.Then came the voice."You've always been afraid, haven't you?" It wasn't loud, yet it resonated around me, filling the silence.I froze, my heart pounding in my ears. It was not Eric's voice. It didn't belong to anybody else.That was mine."Who's there?" I demanded, turning around and seeking the infinite blackness. My voice broke at the edges, revealing the terror I attempted to repress.A person emerged from the nothingness, moving slowly and deliberately. My breath caught when I saw her—the version of myself I'd seen before. She resembled me, but colder and sharper, her eyes gleaming slightly with an eerie silver light."You know who I am," she murmured, raising her head and giving a faint, alm
Kyara’s POVThe stillness that followed the foreboding voice was oppressive, crushing down on us like a leaden weight. Eric's palm curled over mine, his warmth grounding me amid the craziness racing about in my head. My heart was still pounding, and the recollection of the darkness—*her*—resounded in my chest like an echo."Did you hear that?" I asked, my voice barely audible. It seemed too loud against the suffocating calm.Eric nodded, his jaw firm, and the slightest muscle ticked with stress. "Yes, I overheard it. "We are not alone."The words sent shivers down my spine. I looked down at the blazing imprint on my palm, the faint golden light throbbing in sync with my heartbeat. It was soothing and unsettling, as if it were living, responding to my dread and resolve in equal measure."What does it mean?" I inquired, lifting my hand to examine the exquisite artwork engraved into my flesh. It resembled a rune, the lines delicate yet impossibly sharp, glowing faintly with an energy I c
Kyara’s POVThe quiet weighed heavy on my chest as I stood in the limitless expanse of white. My trembling but resolute voice resonated into the darkness. "Who's there?"The shadow darted again, faster this time, passing past the corners of my vision like smoke. My heart pounded in my chest, with each pulse a stark reminder of how alone I felt. Eric's touch had lost its warmth, leaving behind an icy grasp of doubt."Eric?" I called again, whirling in place, desperation in my voice. The immense void extended eternally in all directions, yet the shadow remained persistent, circling and observing.It talked before I noticed it."You've come far, little wolf," the voice whispered, low and sinuous, weaving itself into the fabric of the place. It was everywhere and nowhere, a whisper that sounded like a scream."Show yourself!" I demanded, attempting to find courage in my voice, but my quivering palms betrayed me.The shadow formed, moving into the light, and what appeared made my breath ca
Kyara's POVThe figure before us was unlike anything I’d ever encountered. Its very presence bent the world around it, a force so overwhelming that the air became a searing weight against my skin. Heat rolled off it in waves, distorting the ground, and warping reality itself. My breath caught in my throat as its eyes—molten, swirling embers—locked onto mine."You survived the shadow," it said, its voice a low, vibrating growl that seemed to resonate within my chest. "But the shadow was merely the first test. I am the fire that will burn away your weakness. Let us see if you can endure."Victor quickly stood in front of me again, blade at the ready, his shoulders set as if he could shelter me from this beast. “Kyara, we don’t have to fight this alone. Let me —"“No,” I answered firmly, shutting him off. My voice astonished even me, clear and firm despite the pandemonium surrounding us. I stepped beside him, not behind. “This fight is mine. I need to confront it.”Victor’s hand brushed
Kyara's POVThe creature loomed before us, an amalgamation of darkness and flame, its shape altering like smoke caught in a whirlwind, while the murmurs it emitted crept into my ears, winding around my thoughts like poisoned vines. It wasn't simply speaking; it was searching for flaws and fissures in my resolve.Victor stepped in front of me instinctively, his blade drawn and his stance rigid. “Stay behind me,” he said, his voice low and steady.“No,” I replied, brushing past him, my gaze locked on the creature. “This is my fight.”The monster cocked its head in a strange expression of interest. "How brave you are," it snarled, its voice like a thousand shards of glass grinding together. "But bravery does not save those who are already broken."The words sent shivers down my spine, but I didn't show my terror. "I've faced worse than you," I said, my voice firm despite the ache in my chest.The thing chuckled, a hollow, echoing sound that seemed to originate from somewhere and nowhere.
Kyara's POVThe void extended indefinitely, absorbing all sounds but the faint echo of my breath. It was a stillness that did not provide me serenity but rather pushed the boundaries of my sanity. My other self—this twisted reflection of myself—stood still, her eyes molten gold, her presence a torrent of strength and terror."You're trembling," she murmured, cutting through the silence like a razor. "Are you afraid, Kyara?""No," I lied, my hands trembling at my sides."Liar." Her smirk broadened, but there was no enjoyment in it. "You should be." This location... This is not for the faint of heart. "It does not reward hesitation."I straightened my shoulders, disregarding the pain in my chest and the weight of her stare. "I've fought my way through worse."Her laughter was low and unpleasant. "No, you have not. Not yet. "But you will."The nothingness rippled, a wave extending outward as if her words possessed a force I could not perceive. It was then that I discovered the truth abou
Kyara's POVThe air felt thick, pushing on my skin like a warning that even victory may taste like ash. Eric’s last word—remember—hung in the quiet, a whisper that refused to vanish. I knelt where he had disappeared, my hands hovering over the faint mark of his presence. The warmth of his dying light remained, but the questions it left behind were colder than any gloom I’d experienced.Victor crouched beside me, his touch hesitant but grounding as his fingers brushed my shoulder. “Kyara, we need to move. The ground here—”“It’s unstable,” I finished, my voice raw. I wasn’t sure if he meant the physical ground or the fragile balance of my emotions. Either way, he was right. The fractures beneath us were spreading, each crack glowing faintly with residual energy from the battle. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to stand.Victor’s hand found mine, his grip firm but careful, like he was anchoring me to the present. “We’ll figure out what he meant, but not here. Please."I turned to see the to
Kyara's POVI, not Eric, moved into the light. A darker, shattered version of myself. Her eyes, or rather my eyes, shone with an uncanny, molten gold as if carved from fire and shadow. Every motion she took was purposeful and measured as if the universe bowed to her command.The air altered, thick with something ancient and unpleasant. She came to a halt only a few steps away from me, her head cocked and a ghostly smile on her lips."You look surprised," she continued, her voice a chilling reflection of mine. "But you shouldn't be."My breath caught, and the words seemed stuck in my throat. Victor and Darius were both motionless, their gazes shifting between me and... me."What...what are you?" I finally whispered.She gave a venomous chuckle. "Kyara, I am you. You refuse to accept yourself. The you who desires power, control, and escape from the chains you've enslaved yourself with. And, unlike you, I'm not afraid to take what I want.""That's not true," I said, my voice wavering des
Kyara’s POVThe atmosphere was thick with disbelief. My body was rooted to the ground, muscles stiff with a tension I couldn't shake as I stared at him—Eric, or whatever remained of him. His figure was a twisted reflection of the boy I once knew, his edges blurred by a dark aura that cracked like broken glass. And those fiery, hollow eyes were not like the ones that used to meet mine with tenderness.Victor's hand grasped mine instinctively. His warmth was the only thing keeping me from getting swept away in the storm of confusion and sorrow. Darius stepped in front of us, his body taut and ready, his wolf instincts tingling with unease."Eric?" I whispered, even though the name felt foreign now, like a relic of someone who had passed away.The figure cocked his head, a sinister smile curling his lips. "Eric," he repeated, his voice distorted and tinged with something ancient and venomous. "I remember that name. A fragile boy with delicate dreams. "So easy to shatter.""No," I respond
Kyara's POVThe moment went on indefinitely, an impossible decision perched on the edge of a knife. I could feel the fire and shadow battle within me, scorching my veins and demanding release. Eric's imploring look pierced me from one side, while Victor and Darius remained firm on the other. Both sides wanted to save me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that neither of them realized how much this choice would cost.Every step I took seemed weighted as if the cosmos was holding its breath. The golden-cloaked apparition approached, hand outstretched, promising salvation—or damnation. Eric was still kneeling, his voice raspy. "Trust me, Kyara. "This is the only way."Victor grabbed my wrist and spun me to face him. His emerald eyes blazed with desperation. "You don't need to do this. Whatever this ability is, we'll discover it together. Do not listen to him. "Do not listen to them."Darius, now in human shape, took a step closer, his face etched with dread, which I had rarely seen from h
Kyara's POVThe person in gold and black stood like a monolith against the horizon, their cloaked face unreadable, but the power emanating from them was unmistakable. It wasn't the crushing malice of the shadow guy or the strange attraction of the golden-eyed woman; it was something else. It wasn't just power; it was authority, the type you didn't have to say to feel."You've won the battle," they said, their voice smooth but menacing. "But the war is far from over."I moved forward, automatically covering Victor and Darius behind me. My body continued to vibrate with the merger of light and darkness, a fresh vitality that simultaneously pleased and scared me. However, in the presence of this entity, I felt tiny."Who are you?" I inquired, my voice firm despite the raging fury in my chest.They cocked their heads slightly, the curtain moving but showing nothing underneath. "Who I am doesn't matter. "What I represent does."Victor went to stand by me, his sword shaking in his grip but
Kyara's POVWhen the light faded, I was falling rather than standing. There's no ground to grab me, no horizon to guide me. Just limitless emptiness, as if the cosmos had split apart and cast me adrift in its hollow heart.The air was heavy with the aroma of ash and something metallic, sharp, like the aftermath of a tremendous storm. My body felt weightless, but not in a comfortable way. It was the weightlessness of surrender, the loss of all control. But the fire inside me raged on, and I couldn't stop my heartbeat."Is this it?" I muttered to no one, my voice scarcely heard over the rumbling abyss.The voice sliced through the darkness, smooth and mocking. "Oh, it's far from over."I twisted, or rather the space around me did, and there he was: the shadow man. His red eyes shone like dying stars, and his presence felt like a cold sword across my spine. He was not alone. The golden-eyed lady emerged from the cloud, her sneer sharper than before."You thought you could end this with a