The Battle Ignites
Sairen struck first—twin blades whirling in arcs of scarlet flame.
Christian met him head-on, Voidfire roaring from his fists.
Kien moved in tandem, ice lacing Christian's strikes, hardening them, weaving between defense and offense like a dance they'd never practiced—but knew instinctively.
Still, Sairen was faster.
Sharper.
And every blow he landed felt like it tore at their bond itself.
---
Words Like Blades
Between strikes, Sairen spoke—not with hatred, but grim sorrow:
> "You think this bond makes you strong?
It makes you weapons for something older than you understand."
Christian snarled, parrying a lethal thrust.
> "You're wrong. We chose this!"
Sairen only laughed—a cold, broken sound.
> "No... you were born to it. Marked by the First Sin before you ever breathed."
Kien faltered—just a heartbeat—but Christian steadied her without words.
Their bond flared brighter, answering Sairen's fury.
---
The Scorch-Eater Awakens
Then, the earth split.
A scream—not human, not spirit, something deeper—rose from the valley below.
The Scorch-Eater had felt their clash.
It was coming.
The air warped with spirit-collapse—the boundary between worlds shattering.
Flame, frost, void—it all churned into a storm around them.
---
Decision Point
Sairen hesitated—feeling it too.
> "We stay, we die."
"Come with me. Sever the bond now—or watch it destroy everything you love."
Kien's breath caught. The prophecy burned behind her eyes.
One shall burn.
One shall remain.
Christian locked eyes with her.
> "I trust you."
"Whatever you choose."
Time froze for a heartbeat.
Kien had to choose:
Trust their bond—and risk facing the Scorch-Eater and Sairen at once.
Or take Sairen's offer—and sacrifice the bond to survive.
---
To Be Continued…