Kyara's POVThe darkness was more than just the absence of light; it was a living entity. It curled about us, pushing against my flesh and crawling into my consciousness as if it intended to expose my deepest anxieties. Every sound felt amplified, every heartbeat like a drumbeat echoing in a space.Eric stood close by, his presence stabilizing me even as the world appeared to crumble into anarchy. His fingers brushed across mine, bringing a flood of comfort through me. "Stay with me," he said softly but steadily.I nodded, but he could not see it. The symbol on my hand lit up again, engulfing us in a pale silver radiance. It was a weak light, barely enough to break through the oppressive darkness, but it was better than nothing."Do you feel that?" Eric inquired, his voice tense.I did. The air was vibrating, conveying a deep, low hum that I could feel in my chest rather than hear. There was more than one presence. The shadows were not leaving. They were gathering and circling, waitin
Kyara's POVThe world was white, but not in the way that gave tranquility and clarity. It was stifling, blinding, and limitless, with no edges or corners to grab onto. The light encircled me, pressing into my skin and lungs. I gasped for oxygen, but there was none here—only quiet and a persistent, unbearable brightness."Eric?" I shouted out, my voice oddly reverberating as if absorbed by the abyss.No answer.A shard of terror sliced through my chest, sharp and piercing. My hands reflexively extended out in search of him, but all they found was empty light. It seemed as if the earth had gone beneath me, yet I wasn't falling. I was suspended."Eric!" I yelled again, my voice breaking with desperation.The quiet broke."He's not here," a gentle, deceptively comforting voice said.I whirled around—or thought I did. The movement was meaningless in this context. But, all of a sudden, a person appeared. Unlike the shadows I'd previously fought, this monster was carved from the same dazzlin
Kyara’s POVSharp, unrelenting pain shot across my chest. I attempted to move, but my muscles screamed in protest. Darkness engulfed me, choking and alive, throbbing with an unsettling force that seemed all too familiar. For a minute, I couldn't tell where the shadows stopped, so I started."Kyara!"Eric's words shocked me from the blur of agony and terror. His golden light flickered like a fading ember on the distant horizon. Too faint. My heart wrenched at the concept. I needed to go to him. I couldn't let him confront it alone.I forced myself up with shaky arms, panting for oxygen. The earth underneath me seemed chilly and uneven, like cracked glass about to break under my weight. My brand burned on my hand, and the silver light flickered faintly, as if it, too, was losing strength."Come on, Kyara," I told myself, forcing my legs to move. One step. Then another.The shadows responded by hissing and writhing about my feet like living chains."Don't fight it," a voice hissed, deep
Kyara's POVThe guy stepped forward, his motions fluent and almost mesmerizing. He emitted an intensity that drew air from the cavern, like a storm brewing just out of grasp. His eyes, those brilliant golden orbs, penetrated through me and held me in place. For the first time, I experienced something worse than fear: recognition.I knew him. I wasn't sure how, but my spirit murmured his name even if my lips couldn't form the words."Who the hell are you?" Eric's voice sliced through the dense tension like a razor. He went to my side, his golden light shining brighter as if to protect me from the man's presence.The stranger's lips formed a harsh, frigid sneer. "You don't recognize me?" His tone seemed almost sarcastic. "I'm wounded, Kyara."His voice. That deep, haunting tone caused my hand to pulse in response as if it were alive and knew him as well."I don't know you," I answered, steeling my voice despite the trembling in my breast."Don't you?" He cocked his head and moved closer
Kyara's POVThe golden light streaming from the entrance intensified, showering the cavern with a brightness that seemed both magnificent and frightening. My heart raced in my chest as the thing on the other side approached. It wasn't just a presence; it was a force, radiating strength so enormous and overwhelming that my knees buckled under its weight.Eric stood alongside me, his golden glow constant despite the sweat on his brow. His jaw stiffened, his hands squeezed into fists, but he spoke calmly."Kyara, whatever comes out of that gate—" He turned to me, his eyes flaming with determination. "We confront it together. Always."His words sparked a warm sensation in my chest, but there was no time to answer. A harsh, bone-chilling snarl resonated from the expanding fissure, causing the cavern to shake fiercely. As the gigantic figure emerged, the air became heavier and more tension-filled.The thing was massive, with its bulk wrapped in a whirling cloud of darkness and light. Jagged
Kyara's POVThe world did not simply fade; it broke. Light ripped through the fabric of reality like a sharp blade, and for a brief instant, there was no up or down—only blinding unwavering brilliance. My lungs pleaded for air, yet there was none to breathe. My silver brand blazed like molten fire as if I were being torn apart by a thread.And then there was quiet.My body struck something firm and chilly. I gasped and rolled onto my back, my fingertips grabbing the harsh, uneven surface underneath me. Obsidian. The air smelled like ash and something metallic, maybe blood. When my eyesight cleared, I realized I was no longer in the cavern.The environment around me seemed foreign, bleak, and shadowy. A deep crimson sky extended overhead, whirling with black clouds that pulsed as if alive. The earth shimmered gently as if the obsidian had absorbed the light and vitality from everything it touched."Kyara!"Eric's voice shook me out of my daze. I sat up just in time to see him race towa
Kyara's POVEric's light flickered dimly in my arms, and his breathing was feeble. His blood felt warm on my shaking palms, and for the first time in my life, I realized what it was to be powerless. The stranger's comments reverberated in the shattered air around us, nasty and merciless.Save him, or save yourself.The hideous beast drew closer, its blazing eyes echoing the confusion in my emotions. My brand pulsed on my wrist like a second heartbeat, seeking something I was not prepared to give. Every instinct screamed for me to go, to survive, but the thought of leaving Eric behind devastated me more than the earth beneath my feet.Eric's brilliant eyes met me. His voice was scarcely audible, each syllable a strain. "Kyara, don't." "Do not let him control you."Tears flowed down my cheeks, but I shook my head forcefully. "Do you think I'll let you go?" After everything? No. I, not him, will decide what happens next. My voice broke, but I intended every word.The guy stared at us, un
Kyara's POVThe area seemed empty as if the air had been sucked out of it. My heartbeat thudded in an unsteady rhythm against the unsettling quiet. The wolf's words resonated in my head: "The cost is not yet paid."I held my chest, attempting to put together what had occurred. Eric's face, with its love, courage, and resolve, had imprinted itself on my soul. I couldn't lose him. I would not.The faraway sound of his voice drew me closer. My legs reacted before my head could catch up, propelling me into the heavy mist that now encircled the clearing. Each step brought an odd familiarity, as if I were going through parts of a dream I couldn't remember experiencing."Eric!" I called, my voice cracked. "Where are you?"The mist swirled in response to my appeal, and a route began to emerge—a twisting trail laced with dim silver light. It seemed alive like it was leading me. My mark pulsed again, this time stronger, sending a warm sensation up the arm. I looked at it, watched the silver glo
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