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The forest was quieter than usual, its usual symphony of rustling leaves and distant birds replaced by an almost eerie stillness. Lena walked alongside Seraphine, their footsteps crunching softly against the path as they moved deeper into the woods. The violet hue of the evening sky peeked through the canopy above, casting everything in a surreal glow.
Ahead of them, Elara strode confidently, her silver hair gleaming like a beacon in the dim light. Ivy trailed slightly behind, her emerald locks catching on stray branches as she flicked them away with an exaggerated sigh. Maris moved silently at the rear, her presence felt more than heard.
"I still don't understand why we're out here," Ivy muttered, her voice cutting through the quiet. "You know, not all of us are keen on wandering into creepy forests at sunset."
Elara turned her head slightly, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "You're free to stay behind, Ivy. No one's forcing you to come along."
Ivy rolled her eyes but quickened her pace to catch up. "As if I'd miss whatever drama is about to unfold. You're always up to something, Elara."
Seraphine glanced over at Lena, a soft smile playing on her lips. "They're like this all the time," she said quietly, leaning in slightly.
Lena chuckled despite the tension she felt building in her chest. The air seemed heavier the deeper they ventured, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something—someone—was watching them.
When they reached a small clearing, Elara stopped abruptly, her gaze fixed on the ground ahead. "Here," she said, her tone low and serious.
Lena stepped forward cautiously, her hand brushing against Seraphine's. The simple touch grounded her, even as her heart raced with unease. "What is this place?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The clearing was unlike anything Lena had ever seen. The grass glowed faintly, as if lit from within, and violet flowers bloomed in perfect circles around a weathered stone altar at its center. Symbols etched into the stone pulsed faintly with light, their meaning indecipherable but undeniably ancient.
"This is where it all began," Elara said, her voice reverent. She stepped closer to the altar, running her fingers lightly over the carvings. "The magic that binds us, that connects you and Seraphine—it all stems from this place."
Lena's brow furrowed as she exchanged a glance with Seraphine. "What do you mean, 'binds us'?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Maris stepped forward then, her serene expression giving way to something deeper—something almost sorrowful. "The connection you feel with each other isn't mere chance," she said softly. "It's part of something much larger. A thread of fate, woven long before either of you were born."
Seraphine's amber eyes widened, her gaze snapping to Elara. "You knew about this?" she asked, her voice sharp.
Elara nodded, unbothered by the accusation in Seraphine's tone. "I suspected it," she admitted. "But seeing the two of you together confirmed it. This place—the altar—chooses those it deems worthy, binding their souls together. It's rare, but when it happens, it's unbreakable."
Lena took a step back, her mind spinning. "You're saying this… this bond between us isn't real? That it's just some kind of magic forcing us together?"
"No," Maris said quickly, her tone soothing. "It's not about force. The bond doesn't create feelings that aren't already there. It simply amplifies what exists, bringing it to the surface."
Seraphine reached for Lena's hand, her grip firm and reassuring. "Lena," she said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing in her eyes. "Whatever this is, it doesn't change how I feel about you. That's real. You're real to me."
Lena's heart ached at the sincerity in Seraphine's voice, but doubt still lingered in the back of her mind. Could she truly trust something that felt so predetermined?
Before she could respond, the ground beneath them trembled, a low rumble rising from the earth. The light from the altar grew brighter, casting eerie shadows across the clearing. Ivy cursed under her breath, stepping closer to Maris as if for protection.
"What's happening?" Lena asked, her voice rising in panic.
Elara's expression darkened, her hand resting on the hilt of the dagger she always carried. "Someone—or something—doesn't want us here."
As if on cue, a figure emerged from the shadows, their face obscured by a dark hood. They moved with an unnatural grace, their presence sending a chill through the air. When they spoke, their voice was low and melodic, yet filled with menace.
"You shouldn't have come here," the figure said, their gaze sweeping over the group. "The bond you've awakened is dangerous, and it will destroy you all if left unchecked."
Elara stepped forward, placing herself between the stranger and the others. "Who are you?" she demanded. "What do you know about this bond?"
The figure chuckled, the sound echoing unnaturally in the clearing. "I know more than you could possibly imagine," they said. "And I know this: the bond may feel like a gift, but it is a curse. One that will demand a price far greater than any of you are prepared to pay."
Lena's stomach churned at the ominous words, her grip tightening on Seraphine's hand. Whatever they had stumbled into, it was far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
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