Elara ran.
Not because she was brave.Not because she was strong.
She ran because Kaelen had told her to, and fear was louder than every other thought in her head.
"Go, Elara!" his voice had thundered behind her. "Don't look back!"
The glowing forest stretched endlessly in front of her. Trees shimmered in shades of green and blue, their leaves breathing light like living stars. Roots curled above the ground, glowing faintly, as if the earth itself was awake.
But Elara saw none of it.
All she saw was the path.
A thin line of humming energy pulled at her chest, guiding her forward. It felt warm. Familiar. Like Havenwood calling her home.
Her legs burned. Her breath came out sharp and uneven. Every step felt heavier than the last. The locket in her hand throbbed with leftover power, like a tired heart refusing to rest.
I can't stop, she told herself. I won't stop.
Behind her, the whispers grew louder.
Angry. Sharp. Endless.
The Collective chased her through the trees, their voices slipping into her mind like cold fingers.
Little vessel…You can't run forever…The King is waking…
She stumbled, barely catching herself before falling. Pain shot up her ankle, and she cried out softly, teeth sinking into her lip.
"No," she whispered. "Not now. Please."
She forced herself up again.
Then she saw it.
Ahead, the air rippled like water touched by light. A thin veil shimmered between worlds, glowing soft gold and silver. The breach.
Home.
Relief hit her so hard her vision blurred. A broken laugh escaped her throat as tears burned her eyes.
"I made it," she breathed. "I actually—"
Something moved.
To her right, the shadows pulled together, thick and heavy. A figure stepped out from between the glowing trees, tall and solid, darker than the rest. It felt wrong, like cold iron pressed against her skin.
Elara skidded to a stop.
The locket tightened in her grip.
"Going somewhere, little Thorne?" the figure asked.
Its voice wasn't loud. It didn't need to be. It slid under her skin, calm and cruel all at once.
Elara's heart slammed against her ribs. She raised her chin, even though fear made her hands shake.
"Get out of my way," she said.
The shadow tilted its head, amused. "Such fire in something so fragile."
A shadowy arm stretched toward her, long and thin, reaching for the locket.
Elara yelped and ducked, spinning back. "Don't touch me!"
The shadow laughed, dry and hollow. "You don't understand, child. You were made for this."
"I wasn't made for anything," she snapped. "And I'm not your property."
"Oh," it whispered. "But you are. The King demands you. The locket. Your blood. Your power."
Cold fear wrapped around her spine.
Before the shadow could strike again, the trees behind it exploded with force.
Kaelen burst through.
He slammed into the shadow like a storm given flesh. Magic cracked through the air, bright and violent. The shadow flew back, hissing as it hit the ground.
"Touch her again," Kaelen growled, "and I will erase you."
Elara stared.
Kaelen looked… terrible.
His coat was torn. Blood streaked his temple. One sleeve hung loose, burned at the edge. But his eyes—his eyes burned bright, silver and furious.
"Kaelen," she breathed.
He didn't look away from the shadow. "I told you to run."
"I did," she said quickly. "Mostly."
Despite everything, his mouth twitched. "Figures."
The shadow rose again, slower this time. "Guardian Vane," it hissed. "You cling to a losing cause."
Kaelen stepped in front of Elara, shielding her fully now. "She goes home. You go back to whatever hole you crawled from."
"You cannot protect her forever."
"Watch me try."
Elara swallowed, something tight growing in her chest. She had never had someone stand in front of her like this. Not without expecting something in return.
"You're a mess," she said softly.
Kaelen glanced back at her for half a second. "You should see the other guy."
A shaky laugh escaped her before she could stop it.
The shadow snarled. "Enough!"
It lunged.
Kaelen met it head-on. Magic clashed, light and dark colliding so hard the ground shook. Elara stumbled back, shielding her face as sparks flew.
"Go!" Kaelen shouted. "Now!"
She hesitated.
Her eyes locked onto his back. Strong. Steady. Still standing for her.
"I'm not leaving you," she said.
He turned, startled. "Elara—"
"I know," she rushed. "I know you'll follow. I just—" Her voice broke. "Please don't die."
Something softened in his eyes.
"I don't plan on it," he said quietly. "Not yet."
The shadow screamed and struck again. Kaelen pushed it back, carving a clear path toward the breach.
"Go," he said, firm but gentle. "Trust me."
Elara nodded, tears slipping free. "You better keep your promise."
He gave a crooked smile. "I always do."
She ran.
The breach wrapped around her like cool water, colors twisting and folding. For a moment, everything felt weightless.
Then—
She fell.
Elara landed hard on the wooden floor of her antique shop, knocking the air from her lungs. Dust rose around her, and the familiar smell of old paper and leather filled her nose.
Home.
She scrambled to her feet and spun around.
The portal still shimmered in the air, unstable and flickering. On the other side, chaos raged. Shadows screamed. Kaelen fought like a living blade.
"Kaelen!" she yelled.
He looked up.
For a heartbeat, their eyes met through the veil.
Then the breach began to close.
"No—no, wait!" Elara ran forward, hands pressing against the fading light. "Kaelen, please!"
He tried to reach her, but the portal shrank faster, folding in on itself.
"Elara!" he shouted.
The light snapped shut.
Silence fell.
The shop felt too big. Too quiet.
The locket went cold in her hand.
"Kaelen?" she whispered.
No answer.
Her knees gave out, and she sank to the floor, staring at the empty space where the portal had been.
Tears slid down her face, slow and quiet.
He had stayed.
For her.
And now he was gone.
Outside, Havenwood slept on, unaware of the war brushing its edges.
Elara closed her fist around the locket, her heart aching.
"This isn't over," she whispered.
Not even close.