The forest was eerily silent as Elira sat by the campfire, her fingers trembling as she clutched her amulet. The once-vivid ruby stone at its center was now dark, its glow long since faded. Viktor and Lila sat nearby, their faces etched with worry. None of them had spoken much since Kieran’s capture, but tonight, the weight of their shared grief hung heavier than ever.
The journey to the Dominion’s stronghold had been grueling. Each step brought them closer to danger, and the air itself seemed to grow colder the farther they traveled. But for Elira, the distance wasn’t just physical. It was emotional, a chasm growing wider with each passing day.
“You need to rest,” Lila said softly, her voice breaking the silence. “We’ve been pushing too hard.”
Elira shook her head, her grip tightening on the amulet. “We’re running out of time. Kieran’s—” Her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard. “He’s counting on us.”
Viktor, who had been sharpening his blade in silence, looked up. His piercing blue eyes met Elira’s, and she could see the frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. “You can’t help him if you’re dead on your feet. And pushing yourself like this isn’t just dangerous—it’s reckless.”
“I can handle it,” Elira snapped, though her voice lacked conviction.
“No, you can’t,” Viktor said firmly, setting his blade aside. “Your curse is growing stronger. We’ve all seen it. The closer we get to the stronghold, the worse it gets.”
Elira’s breath hitched, and she averted her gaze. She didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. The curse that had lain dormant within her for so long was stirring, its presence a constant, gnawing ache in the back of her mind.
Lila reached out, placing a comforting hand on Elira’s shoulder. “We’ll save him, Elira. But we need to be smart about this. You need to take care of yourself.”
Elira closed her eyes, her shoulders slumping. “I can’t lose him,” she whispered.
“You won’t,” Lila said, her tone gentle but resolute. “We won’t let that happen.”
---
Later that night, as the others slept, Elira found herself unable to rest. The fire had burned down to embers, casting long shadows across the campsite. She stood and wandered into the forest, seeking solace in the stillness.
But the stillness was deceptive.
A faint whisper drifted through the air, low and insidious. Elira froze, her heart pounding. The voice was familiar, though she couldn’t place it.
“Elira…”
Her name echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down her spine. She turned in a slow circle, her eyes scanning the darkness.
“Who’s there?” she demanded, her voice trembling.
There was no response, only the whisper growing louder, more insistent. Her chest tightened as a surge of energy coursed through her veins, hot and volatile. She fell to her knees, clutching her head as the voice filled her mind.
“You cannot run from me, child. I am you.”
The words struck her like a physical blow, and she let out a strangled cry. The curse was no longer a distant threat—it was awake, and it was angry.
“Elira!”
Viktor’s voice cut through the haze, and moments later, he was at her side. His hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her as she gasped for breath.
“What happened?” he demanded, his tone sharp with concern.
“I-I don’t know,” she stammered. “The curse—it’s stronger than before. It’s—” She broke off, her eyes widening as dark veins spread across her arms, pulsating with an unnatural light.
Viktor cursed under his breath. “We need to get you back to camp.”
“No,” Elira said, shaking her head. “I can control it. I just need time.”
“We don’t have time,” Viktor said, his voice harsh. “This is exactly what I was afraid of. The closer we get to Kieran, the worse this will get.”
Elira’s eyes filled with tears. “I can’t leave him. He needs me.”
Viktor’s expression softened, and he sighed. “I know. But if this curse takes over, you’ll be no help to him—or to anyone.”
---
Back at the camp, Lila was awake, her daggers drawn as she scanned the darkness for threats. When she saw Viktor helping Elira, she rushed to their side.
“What happened?” she asked, her gaze flicking between them.
“The curse is getting stronger,” Viktor said grimly. “We need to figure out how to suppress it—or this mission is over.”
Elira sank to the ground, her head in her hands. “There has to be a way. My mother taught me techniques to keep it dormant, but I’ve never faced anything like this.”
Lila knelt beside her, her expression thoughtful. “Your mother was a healer, right? Maybe there’s something in her teachings that can help.”
Elira shook her head. “She didn’t understand the curse fully. She always said it was... different. Unique.”
Viktor crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “We need more information. If this curse is tied to Kieran’s magic—and I think it is—then we’re dealing with something far bigger than we realized.”
Lila nodded. “There might be something in the Dominion’s archives. If we can get inside the stronghold, we can search for answers.”
Elira looked up, determination flickering in her eyes. “Then we’ll find those answers. And we’ll save Kieran. No matter what it takes.”
---
The next day, their journey continued, though the atmosphere was tense. Viktor stayed close to Elira, watching for any signs of the curse resurfacing. Lila scouted ahead, her movements swift and silent as she searched for threats.
As they approached the Dominion’s stronghold, the forest gave way to barren, rocky terrain. The air grew colder, and a faint hum of magic resonated through the ground.
“We’re getting close,” Lila said, returning from her scouting. “There’s a patrol up ahead, but I think we can avoid them.”
Viktor nodded. “Good. We’ll set up camp nearby and wait for nightfall. That’s when we’ll make our move.”
Elira clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. The curse was a ticking time bomb, but she refused to let it control her. She would face it, just as she would face the Dominion.
Because Kieran needed her. And she wouldn’t let him down.
---
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group prepared for the most dangerous part of their mission. Elira tightened her grip on her staff, her heart pounding.
“Are you ready?” Viktor asked, his voice steady.
Elira met his gaze and nodded. “Ready.”
Together, they stepped into the shadows, the stronghold looming ahead like a dark sentinel.
The battle for Kieran—and for their own survival—was about to begin.