Few days had passed, and Elara was distracted by the previous day's encounter with Lucian. She feels cornered all of a sudden. With the Order pulling the strings from behind to control the whole scenes, while Lucian in the shadow waiting for her to fall for his temptation to power.
At last, Elara really can't endure it anymore. She has been cooped up in her small cottage without attending the sermon as usual, thinking of what path she should choose.
But this cannot drag on for long as she knows the temple will soon dispatch someone to look for her or worse, silence her. The consequences are so severe if they discover she has lost her faith to the Order.
With determination, she decided to meet Lucian again, the decision that will change her forever.
At the same time, she didn't know that her newfound friend, Kael, had been waiting for her appearance near the forest outskirts.
~~~
Elara's heart raced as she stood in the dimly lit clearing, surrounded by the ancient stones that seemed to pulse with energy. The air crackled with tension, and the shadows danced around her like whispers of forgotten secrets. Lucian stood before her, a figure cloaked in mystery and allure, his presence both intimidating and magnetic.
He was tall, his lean, muscular frame exuding an aura of power that was palpable even in the stillness of the night. His skin was pale, almost ethereal under the moonlight, accentuating the sharp angles of his face.
Dark hair framed his features, cascading to his shoulders in waves that shimmered like the night sky. His eyes, a deep shade of crimson, glinted with an ancient wisdom and a hint of mischief, as if he held the secrets of the world within their depths.
"Are you ready to embrace your true potential?" Lucian's voice was a rich, smooth baritone, wrapping around Elara like silk. "With this pact, you will gain strength beyond your wildest dreams. But remember, this bond will tie us together. You will be mine, and I will be yours."
Elara nodded, swallowing hard as she felt the weight of her decision. The shadows around her flickered in anticipation, and a sense of inevitability washed over her. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the unknown that lay ahead.
Lucian stepped closer, the air around them thickening with a heady mix of fear and excitement. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her wrist, sending a jolt of energy coursing through her. With a swift motion, he drew a dagger from his belt, its blade glinting menacingly in the moonlight.
"Now, we seal our bond with blood," he intoned, his voice low and commanding. "Do not fear; it is but a small sacrifice for the power that awaits you."
Before she could respond, Lucian pressed the blade to her palm, and she gasped as a sharp pain blossomed, crimson droplets welling up from the wound.
He caught her blood on the dagger, his expression focused as he began to chant an ancient spell, his voice rising and falling like a dark melody.
As the incantation filled the air, a strange sensation enveloped Elara. She felt a warmth spread from her wound, igniting every fiber of her being. The pain transformed into a rush of energy, surging through her veins like fire. The ancient magic wrapped around her, drawing her deeper into the pact, binding her soul to his.
But as Lucian continued to chant, an unexpected surge of power rippled through Elara's bloodline—a force he had not anticipated. A bright light erupted from the bond they were creating, illuminating the clearing and momentarily banishing the shadows.
"Wait!" Lucian's eyes widened as he realized the intensity of her bloodline. The ancient spell he was weaving began to shift, twisting into something entirely different. Instead of a master-servant bond, the magic intertwined their souls, creating an equal pact where both held power over the other.
"What have you done?" he hissed, a mixture of surprise and admiration flashing across his face. The energy around them crackled with newfound intensity, the air thick with an electric charge.
Elara gasped, overwhelmed by the flood of power coursing through her. "I—I didn't mean to! It just happened!"
Lucian stepped back, his gaze piercing as he assessed the bond they had formed. "What a pleasant surprise," he murmured, a hint of a smile creeping onto his lips. "You possess a strength I did not foresee. It appears we are now equals in this pact, for better or worse."
Elara's heart raced as she tried to comprehend the implications of their new connection. No longer merely a one sided contract, she was tied to him, and their fates were now inextricably linked.
Lucian leaned closer, his crimson eyes shimmering with intrigue. "Welcome to your new world, Elara. Together, we shall unlock the secrets of the Divine Order and reshape this world."
As the last echoes of their bond settled in the air, Elara felt a mix of exhilaration and trepidation. The path ahead was uncertain, but with Lucian by her side, she was ready to confront whatever darkness lay ahead.