Chapter Ten: The Fire Within
The sky burned orange as the sun sank behind the hills.
Lena stood in the castle's grand hall, her fingers glowing faintly with golden light. Damien stood across from her, guiding her with calm words.
"Breathe. Focus on the memory. Not the pain—only the power."
She closed her eyes.
Flashes returned. The ballroom. Fire. Screams. Her own voice shouting spells she didn't understand. Damien's face, covered in blood, begging her to run.
She opened her eyes—and a wave of light burst from her hands, cracking the stone floor beneath her feet.
She gasped and fell back.
Damien caught her.
"You're stronger than before," he whispered. "Stronger than Elira ever was."
Lena looked into his eyes. "Then why do I feel so afraid?"
He placed a hand on her cheek.
"Because you're still human enough to care."
That night, the hunter left a message.
It was burned into the village square:
"Tomorrow at sunset. One of you dies."
Lena and Damien stood together, reading the words.
Damien clenched his fists. "He wants me to come alone."
Lena shook her head. "You won't. We go together."
Damien turned to her. "If he hurts you—"
"Then let him try," Lena said. "Because I'm not leaving your side again."
Chapter Eleven: The Battle for Nightfall
Sunset.
The sky turned blood-red. The wind was still. Not a bird sang.
Lena and Damien stood at the edge of the forest clearing. Across from them stood the hunter, sword drawn, eyes cold.
"Elira," he said with a smirk. "You look… alive."
Lena stepped forward. "That name doesn't belong to fear anymore. It belongs to me."
The hunter didn't wait.
He attacked.
Damien met him first—steel against steel, sparks flying. Their battle shook the trees. Magic lit the sky like lightning.
Lena watched for a moment, her heart racing.
Then she saw it—Damien faltered. The hunter had poisoned his blade.
Lena ran forward, her hands glowing. She shouted a word she didn't know—but her soul did.
"Sirethiel!"
A wave of light burst from her, throwing the hunter back.
But he stood again, laughing. "You've remembered your light," he hissed. "But will you burn to use it?"
He charged at her.
This time, Lena didn't run.
She raised both hands, and golden fire burst from her palms. The ground cracked beneath her feet.
The fire met the hunter's sword—
And everything exploded.
Chapter Twelve: Damien's Choice
Smoke filled the air.
Lena lay on the ground, her vision blurry, her ears ringing. The hunter was gone—nothing left but ash and a broken blade.
But Damien… Damien was on his knees.
Blood ran from his chest. The poison had done its work.
"No," Lena whispered, crawling to him. "No, no, no—please."
He smiled weakly. "You saved me. You remembered."
"I didn't want this! Not like this."
She held him in her arms, crying. "There has to be a way. There has to be."
Damien looked at her, his voice barely a breath.
"There is. But it will cost everything."
She understood. He meant the ritual—the one that could bind their souls forever. It would save his life… but turn hers into something new.
No longer human.
Lena took his face in her hands.
"Then I'll give everything. Just stay with me."
Damien looked into her eyes. And with one final breath, he whispered:
"Then let our forever begin."