The forest greeted them with an eerie silence as they stepped out of the Whispering Ruin. The Nexus Flame pulsed within Seris, its warmth filling her chest. She glanced back at the crumbling structure, now dormant, as if it had given all it could. Yet, the vision it left her lingered like a dark cloud over her thoughts.
Dain trudged alongside her, his breathing still heavy from the fight. The dragon—whose scales shimmered faintly in the moonlight—walked ahead, its fiery eyes scanning their surroundings.
"We should set up camp," the dragon growled. "The Flame may have chosen you, but you'll need rest for what's ahead."
Seris nodded, exhaustion settling in. "Agreed. The forest feels… quieter now, but I can't shake the feeling we're being watched."
As they began to clear a small area for a fire, a faint rustling came from the shadows. All three froze. The dragon's eyes narrowed, its body coiling like a spring ready to pounce.
"Show yourself!" Dain shouted, his sword drawn.
From the underbrush emerged a young man, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. His dark hair was messy, his clothes torn and covered in mud, but his striking green eyes glowed faintly, as though touched by magic. On his back was a crude bow, and at his side, a quiver of mismatched arrows.
"Wait!" the boy called out. "I mean no harm! I—I saw the light from the ruin. I've been tracking you for hours!"
The dragon growled low in its throat, stepping protectively in front of Seris. "Tracking us? Why?"
The boy hesitated, his gaze flickering between Seris and the dragon. "Because I think you're the ones I've been looking for. My name is Kael. I… I'm searching for someone who bears the Flame."
Seris felt the Flame within her stir, its warmth brushing against her thoughts. It was as if it recognized him, though she couldn't understand why. "I'm Seris," she said cautiously. "I am the bearer of the Nexus Flame. Why are you searching for me?"
Kael exhaled in relief, lowering his hands. "Then it's true. The stories were right. My people spoke of the Flame and how it would awaken to guide us through the coming darkness. I've been looking for it ever since the rift appeared in the skies near my village."
Seris exchanged a glance with Dain and the dragon. The vision she had seen—the rift, the figure at its center—it all matched Kael's words.
"You saw the rift too," she said softly.
Kael nodded. "It destroyed everything. My family, my friends… they were taken by the darkness. I barely escaped. Since then, I've followed every lead I could, hoping to find the Flame. And now here you are." His eyes lingered on her, and for a moment, Seris felt a strange connection, as if he could see the burden she carried.
The dragon huffed. "If you think you can simply join us, boy, you'll need to prove your worth."
Kael met its fiery gaze without flinching. "I've survived worse than you can imagine. I'm not afraid."
Dain smirked. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But bravery won't keep you alive out here."
"Enough," Seris interrupted. "If the Flame has brought him to us, we should trust it." She turned to Kael. "You can stay, but you'll need to pull your weight. This journey isn't just dangerous—it's deadly."
Kael nodded solemnly. "Thank you. I won't let you down."
As the group settled in for the night, Kael sat beside Seris by the fire, their conversation flowing easily. He spoke of his village, of the laughter and love that once filled it, and the loss he now carried. Seris found herself drawn to his sincerity, his determination to fight despite everything he'd endured.
"And you?" Kael asked, his voice soft. "What's it like to carry the Flame? To know it chose you?"
Seris stared into the fire, her hands clasped tightly around her knees. "It's… overwhelming. I feel its power, but also its weight. Like it's both guiding me and testing me at the same time. Sometimes, I don't feel strong enough."
Kael leaned closer, his voice gentle. "You are strong enough. I've seen it in your eyes, the way you carry yourself. The Flame wouldn't have chosen you otherwise."
Her gaze met his, and for a moment, the world around them faded. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a connection forged not just by shared pain but by the hope that still lingered in their hearts.
"Thank you," she said softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Kael returned the smile, his green eyes shining with warmth. "We'll get through this, Seris. Together."
From the shadows, the dragon watched them, a knowing glint in its eyes. "Romance in the midst of chaos," it muttered under its breath. "Humans never change."
Dain chuckled, overhearing the comment. "It's probably good for her. She carries enough weight for ten people."
The dragon's gaze turned serious. "Perhaps. But love is its own kind of trial. Let's hope they're ready for what's to come."
As dawn broke, the group prepared to continue their journey, the forest still and silent. Seris glanced back at Kael, his presence now a strange comfort. She didn't know what the future held, but with the Nexus Flame burning within her and her companions at her side, she felt a spark of hope.
The path ahead was uncertain, but together, they would face whatever awaited them in the growing shadow of the rift.
To be continued...
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