chapter 14
1042 Words
The silence after the explosion felt unnatural.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Like the world itself was holding its breath.
Kael stood a few steps away from Luna, his chest rising and falling slowly, his entire body tense.
Every instinct inside him screamed one thing.
Danger.
But not from an enemy.
From her.
“Luna…”
His voice was low. Careful.
Measured.
She stood motionless, her back slightly turned to him, glowing faintly in the darkness. The energy around her had not faded—instead, it lingered, wrapping around her like a living aura.
Beautiful.
Terrifying.
“Look at me,” he said.
Slowly…
She did.
And the moment their eyes met—
Something inside Kael cracked.
Because those weren’t the eyes he knew.
They glowed intensely now, stripped of warmth, filled with something cold… distant… powerful.
Unfamiliar.
“You’re still afraid,” she said softly.
Her voice echoed slightly, layered with something unnatural.
Kael clenched his jaw.
“I’m not afraid of you.”
A faint smile touched her lips.
“You should be.”
The words hit harder than any blade.
Kael took a step closer anyway.
“I know you’re still in there.”
Her head tilted slightly.
“Am I?”
The air shifted again.
The energy around her pulsed stronger, reacting to her emotions.
Kael felt the curse inside him respond instantly, burning beneath his skin. The cracks on his chest glowed faintly, syncing with hers.
The bond.
Still there.
Still alive.
“Luna,” he said more firmly, “this isn’t you.”
She let out a soft laugh.
“You keep saying that… but how would you know?”
His heart tightened.
“Because I know you.”
A pause.
For a brief second—
Just a second—
Her expression flickered.
Something softer.
Something real.
But it vanished just as quickly.
“No,” she whispered. “You only know the weak version of me.”
The words stung.
Kael’s eyes darkened.
“There is nothing weak about you.”
Her gaze sharpened.
“Then why did you try to stop me?”
He didn’t hesitate.
“Because I don’t want to lose you.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
Her breathing hitched—just slightly.
But then the energy surged again.
“And what if this is who I’m meant to be?” she challenged.
The ground trembled beneath them.
Kael stepped closer again, ignoring the pressure building in the air.
“Then I’ll still fight for you.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
But instead of softening—
She raised her hand.
And the energy snapped toward him.
Fast.
Violent.
Kael barely reacted in time, blocking the attack as it slammed into him and sent him sliding backward across the ground.
Pain shot through his body.
He steadied himself, breathing heavier now.
“Luna!” he shouted.
But she didn’t stop.
Another attack came—
Stronger.
Kael dodged this time, the energy blasting past him and tearing through a massive tree behind him.
Wood shattered.
The forest shook.
“She’s gone…” he muttered under his breath.
Or at least—
She was slipping.
“Fight me,” she said coldly.
His head snapped up.
“What?”
“Fight me,” she repeated. “Or you’ll die.”
His chest tightened painfully.
“I’m not going to fight you.”
Her eyes flared brighter.
“Then you’re choosing death.”
She moved instantly.
Faster than before.
Her hand struck his chest, sending a powerful shockwave through his body. Kael staggered back, a grunt escaping his lips as the impact hit hard.
She was stronger now.
Much stronger.
“Luna, stop!”
But she didn’t listen.
Because the curse wasn’t just influencing her anymore—
It was feeding her.
Every emotion.
Every doubt.
Every hidden fear.
Turning it into power.
Kael wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze hardening.
“If that’s how it’s going to be…”
A pause.
“…then I’ll stop you.”
Her lips curved slightly.
“Good.”
The air exploded between them.
They clashed.
Power against power.
Darkness against light.
Curse against curse.
Kael moved with precision, blocking her strikes, trying to restrain rather than harm.
But Luna—
She held nothing back.
Every attack was stronger. Faster.
Unpredictable.
A blast of energy hit Kael directly this time, throwing him back hard into the ground.
He groaned, pain spreading through his body.
She walked toward him slowly.
Calm.
Cold.
“You’re holding back,” she said.
He forced himself up, breathing heavy.
“Because I love you.”
The words cut through everything.
The energy.
The silence.
Her expression froze.
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
The glow in her eyes flickered violently.
“Don’t…” she whispered.
His heart pounded.
“Come back to me, Luna.”
Her hands trembled slightly.
The energy around her became unstable.
“I said don’t…”
Her voice cracked.
And there it was.
Her.
Still fighting.
Kael stepped closer slowly.
“You’re stronger than this.”
Tears formed in her eyes.
The glow dimmed—just a little.
“I can’t…” she whispered.
“Yes, you can.”
He reached her.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like approaching something fragile…
Or dangerous.
“Luna…”
Her breath shook.
“I’m scared…”
His chest tightened painfully.
“I know.”
The energy pulsed again—violently this time.
She cried out, grabbing her head.
“It won’t stop!”
Kael reacted instantly, pulling her into his arms.
“Focus on me!” he said firmly. “Just me!”
Her body trembled against his.
The curse surged—
Trying to break through again.
But this time—
She resisted.
Because of him.
Because of his voice.
Because of what he meant to her.
Slowly…
The glow faded.
The energy weakened.
Her breathing slowed.
Until finally—
Her body went limp in his arms.
“Luna?”
No response.
Panic hit instantly.
“Luna!”
Then—
A faint breath.
Relief flooded through him.
He pulled her closer, holding her tightly.
“You’re still here…” he whispered.
But deep down—
He knew the truth.
This wasn’t over.
Not even close.
Because the curse…
Had tasted her power.
And it wouldn’t let go easily.
- Writer
