Kyara's POVThe Rift howled in front of me, a gaping tear in reality's fabric, its call simultaneously warning and inviting. The voice—Eric's voice—still rang in my head, weak but firm: "Find me."I tightened my hands, the weight of his body gone from my arms, replaced by a frigid nothingness that threatened to consume me whole. He was gone, but not completely lost. I could still feel him, a glimmer of golden light weaving between the silver threads of my mark.The Rift pulsed, its whirling mass daring me to move ahead. I paused. My breath came in short bursts, and my heart pounded against my rib cage. Every instinct shouted to flee, to survive. But instincts were no longer adequate. Not without him."I'm coming, Eric," I muttered my words a pledge and a vow.The earth underneath me trembled as the Rift extended, its tendrils reaching out like ravenous fingers. Every second, the world around me darkened, morphing into something monstrous. I took a step closer, the silver mark on my wr
Kyara’s POVAs I stood at the edge of what was left of the Rift, the darkness appeared to go on indefinitely. The air was dense, sluggish, and lifeless. His golden light, the warmth of his presence, had vanished, leaving an emptiness that clung to me like cold. But I refused to crumble. Eric's words were still imprinted on my soul: "Find me, Kyara. "I'm waiting."My fingertips skimmed against the small imprint on my wrist. It no longer blazed, but pulsed gently, a reminder of the relationship we had. His essence had not vanished—it was someplace beyond the Rift, tied to me like a string of unbreakable hope.The moonlight shone on the lonely clearing, illuminating the aftermath of our conflict. The shadows had faded, but their presence remained as an unsaid menace. I clenched my fist. They took Eric, but they misjudged me. I was not a lady who gave up on him.I fixed my attention on the horizon, my thoughts racing for solutions. How did one chase someone into the void? How could I ente
Kyara's POVThe voice was silky smooth, cutting through the noise like a razor coated in honey. It resonated over the broken plane, sending shivers down my spine. Eric froze beside me, his golden glow fading slightly.I turned to face the source, my heart pounding in my ears. A person emerged from the shadows, moving deliberately and confidently as if they owned this odd, shattered world.He—or it—was unsettlingly attractive, with crisp features that were fashioned by a hand that knew no flaws. His eyes burned a frightening shade of scarlet, like fires that refused to die, and his smile had the power to defy logic."Who the hell are you?" I ordered, my voice unwavering despite the shaking electricity surging through me.The guy inclined his head in amusement. "Such fire." He offered a languid clap, which echoed mockingly. "I see why the Rift likes you. But let us not lose time. You can call me Alaric. Let's just say I'm extremely familiar with how things operate around here."Eric sto
Kyara’s POVThe cold was alive. It wasn't simply a sensation; it was a presence, pressing on my flesh and wrapping around my mind, whispering misgivings I'd long suppressed. I float in the vacuum, weightless but supported by the weight of my decision.Alaric's voice resonated, smooth, and arrogant. "Kyara, welcome to the in-between. Rift's cradle. Few people ever see it, but fewer are dumb enough to walk voluntarily into its jaws.I did not react. My heart was still hammering from Eric's cries and frantic protestations as the shadows ripped us apart. I couldn't let his light fade, not after it had rescued me so many times."Where is Eric?" I demanded, my voice stronger than my emotions.Alaric loomed before me, emerging from the darkness as if he had been born there. The crimson in his eyes blazed stronger now, sending a faint glow across his sharp features. He angled his head, eyeing me as if I were a problem he couldn't figure out."Is this your beloved?" Oh, he is... safe. For now.
Kyara's POVThe Rift's words thundered in my ears, but I refused to be shaken. Eric was right there, his wavering light on the verge of going out completely. The terrible weight of the Rift pulled at me, trying to drown me in misery, but I held fast to one truth: I will not abandon him. Not now. Not ever."Eric!" I yelled, my voice cutting through the smothering silence. "I'm not letting you go!"His eyes greeted mine: haunting, dull, and filled with anguish. His lips twitched, but his voice was scarcely audible over the Rift's teasing laughter. "You should not have come. It is too late for me, Kyara. "You have to leave while you can.""No!" I moved closer, but the shadows surged, pushing me back as if they had a mind of their own. My body hurt from their crushing force, yet I refused to flee. "I will not leave you here to waste away. You are mine, Eric. "You've always been."The Rift's laughing became louder, sounding like it emanated from everywhere and nowhere. "Such devotion," it
Kyara's POVThe world returned in fragments—silent, weightless, and stark. For a second, I feared I had fallen into oblivion again, but the earth under me was solid, jagged, and cold. My heart pounded in my ears as I gazed through the faint light, putting together the shattered pieces of my existence.I lay on the rocky ground, the air thick with the smell of scorched dirt and ozone. My body ached in ways I couldn't describe, but it didn't matter. Eric. Where was he?"Eric!" My voice was broken, harsh, and wavering. I pushed myself to sit up, ignoring the painful sensation in my ribs. The light was fading, and the twisted sky of the Rift was gone. In its place stood a large area of ruins, strangely calm, filled with jagged stone pillars and ash. Shadows gathered at the corners of my vision, undulating as if alive, yet my attention was riveted.Then I saw him.Eric lay a few feet away, his wide body still. The shackles dangled loosely from his wrists, their once-ominous blackness dulle
Kyara's POVThe ground beneath us trembled, and the crimson fissure pulsed like a heartbeat—loud, rhythmic, and unyielding. My pulse matched its speed, and terror gripped me as firmly as my sweat-soaked garments. Eric's grasp on my hand tightened, his calloused fingers bracing me against the maelstrom."It's already too late."The voice resonated from the abyss, piercing and icy, as if the ground itself spoke the words to my ear. My breath caught. The crimson light from the crack shone brightly, casting shadows across the jagged remains surrounding us.Despite my best efforts, I couldn't take my gaze away from the earth's fracture. The light was more than simply a glow; it moved like liquid fire, bringing whispers and brief visions that made my stomach churn. Shadows swirled in the depths, creating shapes—twisted, half-formed entities that appeared to become closer with each passing second."Kyara." Eric's voice was low but forceful, startling me out of my stupor. He drew me closer, h
Kyara's POVAs we dropped into the depths, the air rushed past me, drowning out my screams with the abyss's thunderous roar. Eric's palm grasped mine like a lifeline, his strength stabilizing me despite the mayhem around us. Shadows clutched at my limbs, and frigid tendrils wrapped around me, drawing me into the unknown. The crimson light below pulsed brighter, each flash revealing Eric's strained expression as he battled to hold me near."Kyara!" His voice was crisp and forceful, piercing through the maelstrom of horror."I'm here!" I gasped and clutched his hand closer.The fall felt never-ending, a nothingness that transformed reality into a nightmare. Then, with a strong shock, we landed on firm ground. My legs weakened and I fell, the force jarring my bones.The air was oppressive, dense with smoke, and harsh, metallic flavor that irritated my throat. I coughed, attempting to focus through the blur. Around us, jagged rock structures protruded from the earth, shining softly in the
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