The sky hung heavy with dark clouds as Tia and Kian trudged along the rocky path leading out of the Whispering Valley. The once-bright aura of the watch seemed dimmer now, its golden glow flickering weakly. Tia held it in her hands, staring at the intricate gears inside, her heart weighed down by thoughts she couldn't shake.
Her feet dragged, her breaths shallow. For the first time since their journey began, she felt utterly defeated.
"Hey," Kian said gently, breaking the silence. "We'll figure this out. The Hollow Gate isn't far now."
Tia glanced at him, her eyes clouded with doubt. "Kian... what if I can't do this? What if I mess everything up? What if—" Her voice cracked, and she turned away, gripping the watch tightly as tears stung her eyes.
Kian stopped walking and stepped in front of her, his expression serious yet kind. "Tia, look at me."
She hesitated, then lifted her gaze. His emerald eyes were steady, unwavering.
"You've come this far. You've faced Riftbeasts, Sirenwood, and Malric. If that doesn't prove how strong you are, I don't know what does."
Tia shook her head, frustration bubbling up. "It's not about being strong, Kian. I'm scared. Every step we take, it feels like I'm carrying the weight of the world. And this—" She held up the watch, her voice trembling. "This thing doesn't feel like a gift. It feels like a curse."
Kian's expression softened, and he reached out to rest a hand on her shoulder. "You're allowed to feel scared. You're allowed to doubt. But don't let it stop you. The watch chose you for a reason."
Tia let out a shaky breath, her hands falling to her sides. "I just wish I knew why."
The two continued their journey in silence, the air thick with tension. As the path twisted into a narrow gorge, the sound of rushing water echoed around them. Ahead, a small river cut through the rocks, its surface shimmering like silver under the gray sky.
"I think we can cross here," Kian said, surveying the area. "There's a shallow spot upstream."
Tia nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts spiraled, replaying every decision she'd made, every moment where she felt like she was barely holding it together.
As they reached the water's edge, Tia hesitated. The current wasn't strong, but something about it made her uneasy. Kian noticed her hesitation and extended his hand.
"Trust me," he said, a small smile on his face.
She took his hand, his grip firm and steady. Together, they waded into the water, the icy chill biting at their skin. Halfway across, Tia slipped on a mossy rock, her heart lurching as she nearly fell.
"I've got you," Kian said, pulling her upright.
"Thanks," she muttered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
When they reached the other side, Tia sat on a nearby rock, her shoulders slumping. "Kian, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you ever feel like... like you're not enough? Like no matter what you do, it's never good enough?"
Kian sat beside her, his expression thoughtful. "All the time."
Tia blinked, surprised by his honesty. "Really?"
He nodded. "When I left my family to join the Wardens, I thought I was doing the right thing. But I've always wondered if I made the wrong choice. If I stayed, maybe I could've helped them. Maybe things would've been different."
Tia's chest tightened at his words. "I didn't know..."
Kian smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "We all carry things, Tia. Regrets, doubts, fears. But if we let them consume us, we'll never move forward."
His words struck a chord deep within her. She looked at the watch in her hands, its dim glow reflecting in her eyes. "I don't want to let this consume me," she said softly. "But it's hard."
Kian placed a hand over hers, his warmth grounding her. "You're not alone in this. We'll face whatever comes together."
As they continued their journey, the landscape began to change. The air grew colder, the trees sparse and gnarled. A sense of unease settled over them, and Tia couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered.
Kian nodded, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword. "Stay close."
The feeling intensified as they entered a dense thicket. Shadows seemed to shift and writhe in the corners of Tia's vision, and faint whispers brushed against her ears.
"Kian, what's going on?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"I don't know, but—"
Before he could finish, a figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking their path. It was a woman, tall and imposing, with piercing silver eyes and long, flowing hair that shimmered like moonlight. She wore a cloak of dark feathers, and her presence radiated power.
"Who are you?" Kian demanded, drawing his sword.
The woman's gaze flicked to the watch in Tia's hands, her lips curling into a faint smile. "I am Sylra, Keeper of the Riftwood. And you, child, are trespassing."
Tia's heart raced as she clutched the watch tighter. "We didn't mean to—"
Sylra raised a hand, silencing her. "Do you have any idea what you hold in your hands? That watch is not meant for mortals."
"It chose me," Tia said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I didn't ask for it."
"Chosen or not, its power comes at a cost," Sylra said, her tone sharp. "Every time you use it, you weaken the barriers between worlds. If you're not careful, you will unleash something far worse than Malric."
Tia's breath hitched. "What do you mean?"
Sylra's eyes softened, a hint of sadness in her expression. "The watch is a bridge, a key to the Rift. It draws on your strength, your emotions, your very essence. If you let it consume you, it will destroy not only you but everything you hold dear."
Tears welled in Tia's eyes as Sylra's words sank in. "I don't know what to do. I don't even know why it chose me."
Sylra stepped closer, her gaze piercing yet kind. "Perhaps it saw something in you that you do not see in yourself. But you must be strong, child. The path ahead will test you in ways you cannot imagine."
Kian stepped forward, his sword still raised. "Why should we trust you?"
Sylra smirked, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Because I have no interest in seeing this world fall apart. And because..." She hesitated, her gaze flicking to Tia. "I know what it feels like to carry a burden like yours."
Tia's heart ached at the raw emotion in Sylra's voice. She saw herself reflected in the woman's silver eyes—the fear, the doubt, the longing for answers.
"What should I do?" Tia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sylra placed a hand on Tia's shoulder, her touch surprisingly gentle. "Trust yourself. Trust those who stand beside you. And when the time comes, do not hesitate to fight for what matters most."
With that, Sylra turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Tia and Kian alone in the thicket.
As they set up camp that night, Tia sat by the fire, staring at the watch. Kian joined her, his expression unreadable.
"Do you believe her?" he asked.
"I don't know," Tia admitted. "But what choice do we have?"
Kian nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
Tia looked at him, a small, tentative smile forming on her lips. "Thank you, Kian. For everything."
He smiled back, and for a moment, the weight on Tia's heart felt a little lighter. She didn't know what the future held, but she wasn't alone. And that made all the difference.