Marcellus stood at the edge of the clearing, the moon casting sharp angles across his armor. Behind him, the faint shapes of Hollowborn scouts twitched at the boundary of the protective stones—lean, skeletal things with hollow chests and faces stretched thin like wet parchment.
Elara's heartbeat hammered like a war drum.
Kael stepped instinctively in front of her, shadows rising off him like smoke.
"Marcellus," Kael said, his voice dropping into a cold warning growl. "This is not the time."
"Oh, I believe it is exactly the time," Marcellus replied, glancing over his shoulder toward the Hollowborn pressing against the invisible ward. "They followed her magic. That's what they do. They're hunters—drawn to anything that threatens their master."
Elara stiffened. "So you're saying this is my fault?"
Marcellus gave her a sharp, assessing look. "I'm saying your power is waking the things that should never wake."
Elias raised his sword defensively. "She's trying to save this world."
"And she may destroy it in the process," Marcellus shot back.
Before Kael could lunge at him—because he absolutely looked ready to—Tamsin stumbled forward from the trees, sweat beading her brow.
"Stop talking," she snapped. "There are more coming. A lot more."
The Ghostborn materialized behind her with a disappointed sigh. "Yes, yes. The Hollowborn sensed the bond flare earlier. They're swarming like beetles."
Kael turned sharply. "How many?"
"Enough to ruin everyone's night," the Ghostborn replied cheerfully.
A guttural screech echoed through the forest.
Then another.
Then several more.
Elara's skin prickled. "The ward won't hold, will it?"
The Ghostborn winced. "Not against a pack. It was made to keep out one or two, not thirty."
Kael tensed. Elias cursed softly. Even Marcellus paled.
The Hollowborn surged again, pressing claws against the invisible barrier surrounding the ancient stones. The air rippled like water.
Cracks of light flashed across the boundary.
It was failing.
"Positions!" Marcellus barked. "They'll break through in seconds—"
"Not if we strengthen it," Elara said loudly.
All heads turned to her.
She stepped forward, shoulders squared despite the terror flooding her veins. "The ward was made by a Healer. I can reinforce it."
Kael grabbed her arm. "Elara, no. The last time you used that much power—"
"I'm not alone this time," she said firmly, turning to him. "You can anchor me. You told me our magic balances."
His jaw tightened. "That doesn't mean it's safe."
"It means it's possible." Her eyes softened. "Kael, if we don't do this, everyone dies."
He stared at her for a long moment. Then he exhaled sharply, the decision made.
"I'm with you," he said. "Always."
That was all she needed.
The Circle of Shadows and Light
Elara stepped into the center of the stone ring again. Kael moved beside her, shadows swirling around his hands.
The Hollowborn howled as cracks tore across the ward. The ground shook.
Elias and Marcellus stood ready, blades drawn. Tamsin prepared protective sigils on the surrounding stones. The Ghostborn simply hummed, as if this was entertainment.
Elara closed her eyes.
Breathe.
Focus.
Call it.
Her magic rose slowly, like warm light blooming inside her chest. It glowed beneath her skin, brightening the sigils carved into the stones around her.
Kael reached out his hand.
She clasped it.
Darkness surged up his arm, meeting her golden light with a hiss of power.
The combined energy crackled, spiraling upward in a twisting storm of silver, gold, and midnight.
The Ghostborn's eyes widened. "Oh my. They're actually doing it."
Elara pushed her light outward.
Kael steadied her, guiding the darker energy to wrap around her magic like a shell, strengthening it.
The ward began to repair itself—faint cracks fusing, fractures sealing.
A Hollowborn slammed against it.
The barrier flared bright.
Elara gasped—the impact hit her like a punch to the ribs. Kael squeezed her hand harder.
"I've got you," he murmured. "Just keep going."
Her knees weakened. Sweat beaded on her forehead. The stones hummed louder, resonating with her heartbeat.
Another strike.
This one harder.
Her breath hitched, and her magic flickered.
Kael stepped closer, placing his other hand over hers, shadow pouring into her light. "Elara—look at me."
She opened her eyes.
His face was inches from hers, eyes burning with fierce determination.
"You are stronger than this," he whispered. "Stronger than them. Believe that."
Something inside her responded—deep, ancient, powerful.
She inhaled sharply.
And her magic exploded outward like a sunburst.
The ward blazed with golden fire. Every sigil lit up at once. The Hollowborn recoiled, screeching in agony.
Elias shielded his eyes. Marcellus stumbled back. Tamsin whispered a prayer.
The Ghostborn simply smiled.
Elara's feet lifted slightly off the ground as the light surged through her.
Kael held her steady, absorbing the shockwaves of her power, grounding her darkness to her light.
The ward expanded, doubling in strength.
The Hollowborn slammed against it again.
This time they disintegrated into ash.
Elara shuddered, the last of her energy fading like a dying ember. Her knees buckled.
Kael caught her before she fell, lowering her gently to the ground. "Easy… breathe."
Her chest rose and fell in trembling waves. Her vision blurred.
But she was alive. They all were.
Elias ran forward. "Elara! Are you alright?"
She nodded weakly. "Just… tired."
"You've done what most Healers couldn't dream of," Tamsin whispered in awe.
Marcellus sheathed his sword slowly, studying Elara with a complicated expression—not hostility, not admiration, but something like uneasy respect.
The Ghostborn stretched his arms lazily. "Well then. That was dramatic. Delightfully messy. I'd give it a solid eight."
Kael glared at him. "Not now."
But the Ghostborn wasn't looking at Kael—he was staring at the sky.
Because something new was happening.
The moon had turned red.
A deep crimson glow bled across its surface, swirling like ink in water.
Elara's heart dropped.
"What… is that?" Elias whispered.
Tamsin's voice trembled. "It's the Blood Moon. But it wasn't supposed to come for another month."
The Ghostborn grinned, too pleased. "Ah. Then the timeline truly is unraveling."
Kael stiffened. "This is my fault."
"No," the Ghostborn said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "It is hers."
Everyone turned to Elara.
Her blood went cold.
"What do you mean?" she whispered.
The Ghostborn leaned in, eyes gleaming with mischief and something darker.
"Your power didn't just strengthen the ward, little healer."
He smirked.
"It awakened the next seal."