The cave was small but deep, a natural hideout carved into the side of the mountain. The air inside was cool and damp, but it offered the shelter they desperately needed.
Varya led the way, making sure the area was secure, while Kael carried Eiran inside and gently set him down on a patch of soft moss near the back of the cave.Eiran's face was pale, and his breathing shallow.
The fight with the Revenant and the strain of controlling the relic's power had taken a heavy toll on him. Kael knelt beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his face.
"He's pushing himself too hard," Kael muttered, frustration evident in his voice.Varya, having finished her perimeter check, returned and crouched beside them.
"We're all pushing ourselves too hard. But we don't have much of a choice. If we slow down, the Shadowborn will catch up, and we're not in any shape to fight them off right now."Kael's jaw clenched.
"I know. But he can't keep going like this."Varya glanced at Eiran, her expression softening slightly.
"He's stronger than you think. He knows the risks, and yet he's still fighting."Kael looked at Eiran's peaceful face, his chest rising and falling slowly as he rested.
"Yeah… I know he's strong. But that doesn't mean I have to like it when he pushes himself to the brink."Varya stood up, stretching her arms.
"We've got a few hours before we need to move again. I'll keep watch outside. You stay with him."
Kael nodded, grateful for the brief reprieve. "Thanks, Varya."
She offered a quick nod in return before stepping out of the cave, leaving Kael and Eiran alone.Kael leaned back against the wall of the cave, his eyes never leaving Eiran. He could feel the lingering tension in his own muscles, the weight of the relic still pressing on them all.
But right now, his only concern was Eiran. His heart ached seeing him like this—pushed beyond his limits for the sake of their mission.Eiran stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open. He blinked a few times, focusing on Kael.
"Did… did we make it?"Kael smiled softly, his hand resting on Eiran's arm. "Yeah, we're safe. For now."Eiran's gaze shifted to the entrance of the cave. "Where's Varya?"
"Keeping watch. Don't worry about anything right now," Kael said gently. "You need to rest."Eiran sighed, closing his eyes again.
"I don't like resting. There's too much to do. Too much at stake."Kael chuckled quietly. "You sound like Varya."
"She's right," Eiran murmured.
"The relic… it's drawing attention. We don't have much time before others come looking for it."Kael's expression darkened at the mention of the relic.
It was a double-edged sword—powerful enough to turn the tide in their favor but dangerous enough to destroy them if they mishandled it. And now, with Eiran's connection to it growing stronger, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking a razor's edge.
"We'll figure it out," Kael said, his voice low but firm.
"But you're not doing it alone. We're in this together."Eiran's lips curled into a small smile. "I know. I just… wish I could do more."
"You've already done more than enough," Kael replied, his tone softening.
"You're the reason we've made it this far. Without you, the relic would've destroyed us by now."Eiran opened his eyes, his gaze meeting Kael's.
"And without you, I wouldn't be able to control it. You keep me grounded, Kael. You always have."
Kael felt a warmth spread through him at Eiran's words, a rare moment of vulnerability between them. His hand tightened around Eiran's, a silent promise that he would always be there, no matter the dangers they faced.The silence between them stretched, comfortable and filled with unspoken understanding.
The dangers outside the cave seemed far away for just a brief moment, and Kael allowed himself to savor this rare respite. He looked down at Eiran, his heart swelling with a mixture of protectiveness and admiration.
Eiran had always been strong—mentally, magically—but Kael knew that he carried the weight of their mission on his shoulders, often more than anyone else.After a while, Eiran shifted again, pushing himself up slightly. Kael moved to help, but Eiran waved him off.
"I'm alright. I just… needed a moment."Kael nodded, but his eyes remained full of concern. "You should get some more rest. We don't know when we'll get another chance."
"I will," Eiran promised. "But we need to talk about what's next."Kael frowned. "Next? Eiran, you're in no condition to—"
"I'm not talking about fighting," Eiran interrupted softly.
"I'm talking about the relic. We need to figure out what to do with it. We can't keep carrying it with us forever."Kael's gaze flicked to the pack beside Eiran, where the relic was carefully stored. Its pulsing energy could still be felt, even from within its containment.
"I know," Kael admitted. "But we need a plan before we do anything with it. We still don't know how to destroy it."Eiran leaned back against the cave wall, his eyes thoughtful.
"It's not about destroying it. The relic is too powerful. If we destroy it, the magic inside could tear apart everything around us."
"Then what do we do?" Kael asked, his frustration showing. "We can't use it, and we can't destroy it. What's left?"
Eiran's gaze became distant, as if he were lost in thought.
"There might be another way. I've been thinking about it since we first found the relic. There are ancient texts that speak of… binding magic. Sealing a power like this into a living vessel. It's dangerous, but it could work."Kael's eyes widened.
"You mean someone would have to carry the relic's power inside them?"Eiran nodded slowly.
"It would take immense control and magical strength. But it would prevent the relic's energy from being unleashed. It would be… contained."Kael's heart dropped. He knew what Eiran was implying.
"You're thinking of doing it yourself, aren't you?"Eiran met his gaze, his expression calm but resolute. "I have to. I'm the only one who can."Kael shook his head, panic rising in his chest.
"No. Absolutely not. It's too dangerous, Eiran. You've already been pushing yourself too far. If something goes wrong—"
"I know the risks," Eiran interrupted gently.
"But we don't have any other options. The relic's power is growing, and soon, we won't be able to contain it. This is the only way to keep it from falling into the wrong hands."
Kael's fists clenched, his mind racing. He couldn't lose Eiran. Not like this.
"There has to be another way."Eiran reached out, his hand resting on Kael's.
"Kael… trust me. I can do this. I have to do this."Kael looked into Eiran's eyes, seeing the determination there, the resolve. He knew there was no changing Eiran's mind. But that didn't make it any easier.
"I trust you," Kael whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I just don't want to lose you."
"You won't," Eiran promised, his voice soft but sure.
"I'll come back to you. I always will."Kael nodded, though his heart still ached.
The path ahead was dangerous, but for now, they had each other.
And that would have to be enough.