The Choice
Kien lowered her blade.
Her spirit energy dimmed—her side of the bond pulling away like a thread about to snap.
Christian stiffened—but didn't move.
He trusted her.
Even when her next words cut like knives:
> "...You're right, Sairen.
This bond is a curse."
Sairen's smirk was all triumph and pity.
The Scorch-Eater's roar shook the mountain.
---
The Betrayal
Sairen reached out—a blade flickering with binding fire—to sever their bond.
Kien knelt, head bowed.
> "I submit..."
Christian stayed silent, his fists clenched, waiting, trusting.
Waiting for her spark.
Waiting for her.
And then, at the final breath, Kien moved.
Fast as thought.
She seized Sairen's wrist.
She funneled all the bond's energy into Christian.
She lit the mountain with a surge of Void-Ice flame—a new element, a new strength born of trust, risk, and defiance.
Christian erupted in a nova of black and silver fire.
Sairen reeled back—howling in rage.
---
Facing the Scorch-Eater
But there was no time to finish him.
The Scorch-Eater crested the ridge—a massive, burning horror of molten bone and shattered spirit-flesh.
Its eyes locked on Christian and Kien.
Two flames.
One bond.
One feast.
Christian grabbed Kien's hand.
> "Together?"
She smiled, heart pounding with fear and pride.
> "Always."
---
End of Chapter