The air in the chamber was suffocating, the shadows thickening as the Void writhed, eager to break free. Seraphine and Lucien stood side by side, hands entwined, facing the pulsing darkness. The ancient glyphs on the tablet began to glow brighter, the spell awakening with their intent.
"Are you ready?" Seraphine asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucien tightened his grip on her hand, his jaw set with determination. "I am if you are."
Arin, standing a few feet away with her sword drawn, watched them with a mixture of awe and terror. "You both know this could kill you, right?"
Seraphine met her gaze, a soft, sad smile on her lips. "We know."
The Void's tendrils slithered closer, its whispers growing louder, more insistent. Seraphine could feel its hunger, its yearning to consume everything in its path. It wanted to devour them, to pull them into its endless darkness, but they wouldn't let it. They had to be stronger.
"Together," Lucien repeated, his voice a promise.
Seraphine closed her eyes, focusing on the ancient words of the binding spell, the ones she had memorized from the tablet. The glyphs in front of them pulsed in response, recognizing the ancient magic that had long been dormant. She could feel the energy gathering around her, pulling at her very soul.
As the words of the spell left her lips, Lucien joined in, their voices merging in perfect harmony. The air crackled with power, and the ground beneath them trembled as the Void sensed what they were trying to do. It lashed out, sending a wave of dark energy surging toward them, but the spell formed a barrier, protecting them—for now.
The glyphs flared brighter, casting an eerie light over the chamber as Seraphine and Lucien chanted in unison. The Void's tendrils recoiled, but it wasn't done yet. It pushed harder, its dark energy battering against the barrier, trying to break through.
Arin stepped back, shielding her face from the dark energy swirling around the room. "Hurry!" she shouted, her voice barely audible over the growing roar of the Void.
Seraphine's heart pounded in her chest, the strain of the spell already taking its toll. She could feel the pull of the Void, tugging at her, trying to drag her into its depths. Her entire body ached, her soul trembling under the weight of the ancient magic. But she couldn't falter—not now.
Lucien's voice grew stronger beside her, his will like a fortress. She could feel his strength, his unwavering resolve, and it bolstered her own. Together, they were holding the Void at bay, but she knew they couldn't last much longer. The cost was already beginning to show—dark veins crawled up Lucien's arms, and Seraphine could feel the same corruption spreading through her own body.
"We're almost there," Lucien muttered through gritted teeth.
But just as it seemed the spell was taking hold, the Void unleashed one final attack. A tendril of pure darkness lashed out, bypassing their barrier and striking Lucien square in the chest.
"Lucien!" Seraphine screamed as he staggered, his grip on her hand loosening.
He fell to one knee, gasping for breath, the darkness wrapping around him like chains. His eyes fluttered closed as the Void's tendrils tightened their grip, dragging him toward the abyss.
"No, no, no!" Seraphine cried, panic rising in her throat. She knelt beside him, her heart hammering in her chest. She could feel the bond between them weakening, the Void trying to sever it.
Without thinking, Seraphine pressed her hand to Lucien's chest, where the dark tendril had struck. The moment she made contact, she felt the darkness course through her, a cold, suffocating force that threatened to consume her as well. But she didn't pull away. She focused on the connection between them—the bond that had survived death, time, and everything in between.
"I won't lose you again," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Drawing on every ounce of her strength, Seraphine pushed back against the darkness, pouring her energy into Lucien. The Void fought back, trying to pull them both under, but she refused to let it win. She could feel Lucien's heart beating beneath her hand, slow and faint, but still there. Still fighting.
With a final surge of will, Seraphine spoke the last words of the spell, her voice rising above the chaos. The glyphs on the tablet blazed with light, and a shockwave of energy erupted from them, blasting the Void's tendrils away from Lucien.
For a moment, everything was still.
The darkness recoiled, swirling violently before retreating, drawn back into the glyphs. The air crackled with energy as the Void was sealed once more, its power contained within the ancient spell. The oppressive weight that had filled the room lifted, leaving behind only an eerie silence.
Seraphine collapsed beside Lucien, her body trembling with exhaustion. She looked down at him, her heart pounding as she willed him to open his eyes.
"Lucien," she whispered, her voice breaking.
For what felt like an eternity, he didn't move. His chest barely rose and fell, his skin pale, the dark veins still visible beneath the surface.
But then, slowly, his eyes fluttered open.
"Seraphine…" His voice was hoarse, barely a breath.
Tears filled her eyes as relief flooded through her. She threw her arms around him, holding him tightly, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her own.
"You're okay," she whispered, her voice shaking. "You're okay."
Lucien winced, but managed a faint smile. "You saved me… again."
Arin, standing nearby with her sword lowered, let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "You did it," she said, her voice soft with awe.
But Seraphine's relief was short-lived. She could still feel the lingering darkness inside her, a shadow that would never fully leave. The spell had worked, but the cost was clear.
Lucien, sensing her unease, gently cupped her face with his hand. "We did it together."
Seraphine nodded, though her heart was heavy. The battle against the Void wasn't over—not entirely. It had been sealed, but the darkness would always be there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for another chance.
But for now, they had won.
Together.