The path stretched on, long and quiet.
No whispers now.
No shadows moving.
Only Kael and Lira's footsteps.
Lira walked slightly ahead, then slowed so Kael stayed beside her.
She didn't want to leave even a small gap between them.
"Kael…" she whispered, even though she knew he couldn't answer.
"I'll talk enough for both of us."
Kael gave a small smile.
Through the bond, she felt his reply
Thank you.
Her chest tightened.
The Seer followed behind them, silent for once.
After a while, the path began to change.
The darkness softened.
The air felt lighter.
Lira noticed it first.
"The pressure… it's less."
Kael nodded.
The Hollow was easing its grip.
Then
A memory appeared in front of them.
Not forced.
Not painful.
Just quiet.
Lira saw Kael standing alone, younger, wounded, surrounded by enemies.
He was silent there too—bloodied but unbroken.
Lira's breath shook.
"Kael… is this you…?"
He stopped walking.
The memory didn't attack.
It waited.
Kael stepped closer to it.
Lira felt his emotion clearly now
Not fear.
Not anger.
Resolve.
I survived, his feeling said.
Even without a voice.
The memory faded.
The Seer finally spoke:
"The Hollow wanted to see if losing your voice made you weak."
Lira clenched her fists.
"It didn't."
The Seer nodded.
"No. It made your bond deeper."
The path ended at a wide open space filled with soft gray light.
In the center stood a stone mark shaped like two overlapping hearts.
The Seer pointed.
"This is the final mark of the Hollow."
Lira swallowed.
"What happens here?"
The Seer looked at Kael.
"You must make a promise.
Not with words.
With intent."
Lira turned to Kael, eyes shining.
"You don't need to say it," she said softly.
"I'll hear it."
Kael stepped forward and placed his hand on the stone.
The bond surged.
Lira felt his intent clearly
I will protect her.
I will never abandon her.
Even in silence.
Her tears fell freely.
She stepped beside him and placed her hand over his.
"I promise too," she whispered.
"I will stay. No matter what we lose."
The stone glowed softly.
Not bright.
Not violent.
Peaceful.
The Seer stepped back.
"The Hollow has accepted you."
The gray light faded.
The darkness lifted.
A new doorway opened ahead—leading out.
Lira squeezed Kael's hand.
"Kael… we made it."
He nodded.
Through the bond, she felt it
Relief.
Strength.
Love.
They walked toward the exit together.
Silent
But unbroken.