Kael and Lira stepped into the glowing circle.
The symbols on the floor pulsed gently, like a slow heartbeat.
Lira held Kael's hand tightly.
"Kael… I'm nervous."
He squeezed her hand back.
"I'm right here. Nothing will happen to you."
The Seer stood outside the circle, watching carefully.
"This training is not like fighting," he said.
"It is about control. Trust. And balance."
Lira nodded slowly.
"What do we do first?"
The Seer pointed at Kael.
"He must learn to shield your light from the inside."
Kael frowned.
"Explain."
The Seer lifted his hand.
"When your bond grows, it pulls on both of your powers.
Lira's light is softer, easier to disturb.
Your shadow is stronger, harder to break."
Kael looked at Lira.
"So… my job is to keep her safe from her own power?"
"Yes," the Seer replied.
"And from anything that tries to tear your bond apart."
Lira lowered her eyes.
"So if I lose control… Kael can stop it?"
The Seer nodded.
Kael placed a hand gently on Lira's cheek.
"I won't let anything hurt you. Not even the bond."
Lira smiled softly, though her hands trembled.
The Seer raised his arm.
"Then let us begin."
The symbols on the floor lit up brighter.
Lira gasped as a soft silver glow rose from her skin.
"Kael… it's starting."
Kael stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"I'm here. Just breathe."
The glow grew stronger, spreading from Lira's chest outward.
Her breathing became uneven.
"Kael… it's too much…"
Kael placed his hand over her heart, where the bond pulsed.
"Focus on my voice. Nothing else."
Lira closed her eyes, shaking.
The Seer called out:
"Kael! You must send your power into the bond. Calm her energy!"
Kael nodded and pulled Lira closer.
He felt the shadow inside him stir strong, heavy, steady.
He pushed it gently toward the bond.
At first, nothing happened.
Then
Lira inhaled sharply.
"Kael! I-I can feel your power… inside me…"
"Does it hurt?" Kael asked quickly.
"No… it's warm…"
She leaned her forehead against his chest.
Kael continued to push his power slowly, carefully, until the silver glow around Lira began to soften.
Her breathing calmed.
The shaking stopped.
The Seer nodded.
"Good. Your shadow is stabilizing her light."
Kael held her tightly.
"Lira… tell me if it's too much."
She shook her head weakly.
"No… it feels safe. Like you're holding me from the inside too."
Kael's heart softened.
"I'll always protect you."
But suddenly
The bond pulsed sharply.
Lira gasped and grabbed Kael's shirt.
"Kael it's pulling again!"
Kael tightened his hold on her.
The Seer shouted:
"Kael! Increase your power—slowly! If you push too fast, she will break!"
Kael focused, sweat forming on his forehead.
He let more shadow flow into the bond, trying to calm the wild pull.
Lira trembled hard.
"Kael… don't let go… please!"
"Never," he whispered.
"I've got you."
Their powers mixed again—silver and black swirling gently instead of crashing.
The glowing circle slowly dimmed.
Lira collapsed forward, falling into Kael's chest.
He caught her immediately.
"Lira! Are you okay?"
She nodded tiredly, her voice soft.
"I'm okay… just tired… Kael… you did it…"
Kael held her as if she might disappear.
The Seer stepped closer.
"You succeeded," he said quietly.
"Kael, you shielded her bond. She will be safer from now on."
Kael looked down at Lira, brushing her hair gently.
"I'll train as long as it takes."
The Seer nodded.
"You will need much more training.
Because the Emperor's heir… will not wait."
Lira looked up at Kael with tired eyes.
"We'll be ready."
Kael kissed her forehead softly.
"Yes," he whispered.
"We will."
But deep inside, he knew:
The hardest part was still ahead.