The trail beyond the Vale was quiet, almost unnaturally so. The forest that had once seemed alive with rustling leaves and distant bird calls now felt like a hollow shell. The air carried a strange weight, a reminder of the trials they had just endured. Elena’s fingers still tingled from the sensation of the mirrored expanse breaking apart. The words of the voice lingered in her mind.
“Strength comes not from the bond itself, but from what you make of it.”
Kael walked beside her, his steps purposeful yet measured, his sword still drawn. Though the immediate danger seemed to have passed, the tension in his shoulders remained. Elena could feel his unease as clearly as her own heartbeat.
“What do you think it meant?” she asked, breaking the silence.
Kael glanced at her, his expression tho
