Selene finally broke the stillness, her tone sharp. “If you’re going to survive here, you’ll need more than brute strength. This is a realm of balance, and every action carries weight.”
Kael tightened his grip on his sword but said nothing. He could feel her eyes on him, scrutinizing him like a hawk assessing prey. The silence stretched until Selene stopped abruptly, turning to face him.
“Tell me, mortal,” she demanded, her voice laced with suspicion. “Why did the Celestial Kingdom pull you here? It is no coincidence. This realm rejects the unworthy.”
Kael met her gaze, his jaw clenched. “I don’t know why I’m here,” he said, his voice steady. “But if I can’t leave, I’ll fight to find the answers.”
Selene studied him, her golden eyes narrowing. “You fight well, but skill alone won’t protect you. The shadows that plague this place are drawn to imbalance. Your presence has already stirred them.”
Before Kael could respond, a deep rumble echoed through the terrain. Selene’s wings flared open as a fissure of darkness split the ground ahead, and a shadowy vortex began to rise. From its swirling depths emerged another pack of Umbral Beasts. Their grotesque forms twisted unnaturally as they advanced, their hollow eyes fixed on Kael and Selene.
Selene shot Kael a sharp look. “Ready yourself, mortal. Prove to me you’re not a liability.”
The battle was swift and brutal. Selene moved like lightning, her celestial blade singing through the air as it cut down the encroaching shadows. Kael matched her pace, his strength and mortal instincts compensating for his unfamiliarity with the realm. For the first time, he noticed a rhythm to their fighting—a seamless synchronization, despite their lack of trust in one another.
When the last beast dissolved into mist, Kael lowered his sword, his chest heaving. Selene approached him, her expression unreadable.
“You’re stronger than you appear,” she admitted, though her tone remained guarded. “Perhaps there is a purpose to your presence after all.”
Kael raised an eyebrow. “Was that… a compliment?”
Selene’s eyes glinted with the faintest trace of amusement. “Don’t get used to it.”
Their exchange was interrupted by a soft glow emanating from Selene’s chest. She placed a hand over her heart, her expression suddenly solemn. “The Covenant,” she murmured.
Kael frowned. “What’s the Covenant?”
Selene hesitated, as if debating how much to reveal. “It is the bond between an Eliorn and a mortal. Without it, you will never truly survive this realm. The Celestial Kingdom is not just a place—it is alive, and it demands balance. The Covenant ties your fate to mine, for better or worse.”
Kael’s brow furrowed. “You’re saying I have to… bond with you?”
Selene’s gaze was piercing. “It is not a choice. The shadows grow stronger with each passing moment, and you cannot stand alone. The Covenant will grant us strength… but it will also tie us together in ways you cannot yet comprehend.”
Kael felt the weight of her words settle over him. Trust did not come easily, especially after the betrayal that had led to his death. But Selene was right—he couldn’t navigate this realm alone.
“Fine,” he said, his voice steady. “What do I need to do?”
Selene extended her hand, her expression solemn. “Place your hand over mine, and speak your oath.”
Kael hesitated only briefly before stepping forward. He placed his hand over hers, and a surge of warmth radiated from the contact. The celestial sword in his grip glowed brighter, as did Selene’s wings.
“Speak,” Selene urged, her voice soft but firm.
Kael swallowed hard. “I swear to fight for balance. To protect this realm… and to honor this bond.”
A blinding light enveloped them both, and Kael felt a surge of energy flood his veins. When the light subsided, Selene’s wings seemed fuller, their glow more vibrant. Kael, too, felt different—stronger, more connected to the realm around him.
Selene withdrew her hand, her expression unreadable. “The Covenant is forged. Now, we share our fates.”
As they resumed their journey, Kael couldn’t shake the feeling that this bond was more than just a means of survival. It was a thread weaving their destinies together, for better or worse.
