Valen's presence in the void sent a chill down Kael's spine.
He radiated dark power, his eyes glinting with malevolent triumph."You thought you could escape this easily?" Valen sneered.
"You've walked right into the heart of the curse itself."Kael's grip tightened on his sword.
"You're wrong. We're breaking this curse—no matter what."Valen chuckled, his voice echoing unnaturally in the abyss.
"You still don't understand, do you? The curse is tied to both of you. The only way to end it is through sacrifice."
Eiran stepped forward, his expression resolute. "I know. And I'll be the one to pay that price."Kael's heart clenched.
"No—there has to be another way.""There isn't," Valen said, his voice cold. "The curse was designed to bind your souls together, through life and death.
One of you must die to free the other."Eiran's eyes met Kael's, filled with sorrow and determination.
"Kael, it has to be me."But Kael couldn't accept that. He wouldn't lose Eiran. "No. I'm not letting you die for me."Valen's dark smile widened.
"Then you will both fall."The ground beneath them trembled, the shadows closing in. Kael knew they were running out of time.
Desperate, he lunged at Valen, his sword aimed at the dark mage's heart.But Valen was faster. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a torrent of dark energy that sent Kael and Eiran flying backward, crashing into the cold, unforgiving ground.
As Kael struggled to stand, the curse's weight pressed on him, threatening to crush him under its power.