Shadow Bound Fate

Worrying About the Smoke

Caius' POV

My sword slammed into the Voidborne's chest, and in an instant, he disintegrated into ash. I exhaled sharply, wiping the sweat from my brow as I scanned the battlefield. Bodies littered the ground, a grim testament to the intensity of the fight. Thalia and Kieran were still locked in combat, each of them fending off multiple Voidborne at once, their movements a blur of lethal precision.

I turned, my heart hammering, searching for Lira amidst the chaos. I needed to see her—needed to know that she was still standing, still alive. She had saved me earlier with such ease, as though the battle was nothing to her.

Suddenly, three large gray wolves bolted across the field, charging toward the two Voidborne attacking Thalia. I did a double take, my mind scrambling to make sense of it. Vespera? Could she really transform him into wolves now?

I tore my gaze from the wolves and looked down the field, where I spotted her—Lira, striding through the battlefield with an effortless grace that sent a chill down my spine. Her blonde hair glowed with an ethereal silver sheen, shimmering like moonlight as her power radiated from her. She flicked her wrist, and in an instant, two Voidborne were struck by lightning, their bodies dissolving into ash as if they had never existed.

Then she turned, her gaze locking onto mine. My breath caught in my throat. Her eyes—glowing silver, illuminated by the sheer force of her magic.

The Voidborne faltered, their confidence draining away as they began to retreat in fear. But there was no escape. Kieran, sensing their desperation, unleashed his stone magic, sending jagged walls of earth erupting from the ground, blocking their path and trapping them like cornered prey.

Lira didn't hesitate. She flicked her wrist again, and a massive bolt of lightning shot down from the sky, crackling with deadly energy. The remaining Voidborne were obliterated in an instant, their bodies turned to dust as her power swept through the battlefield like a storm.

Without wasting another second, I ran toward her. Vespera reappeared at her side, swirling protectively for a moment before dissolving into the air, as his task was done. The silver glow in Lira's hair faded, and her eyes returned to their natural green. She locked eyes with me for a fleeting moment before her expression slackened. Her body swayed, and then her eyes rolled back as she collapsed.

I reached her just in time, catching her limp form in my arms before she could hit the ground. She had pushed herself too far, drained from the sheer magnitude of the power she had unleashed. She wasn't used to using that much power all at once.

Kieran and Thalia rushed over, concern etched on their faces.

"Is she alright?" Kieran asked, sheathing his swords as he stood beside me.

I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "She overdid it," I said, adjusting her weight as I scooped her into my arms, lifting her bridal style. "She used too much of her power."

Thalia, still panting from the battle, fell into step beside me. "That was fucking incredible, Caius," she said, awe clear in her voice. "She's incredible."

I looked down at Lira, her face soft and peaceful in her unconscious state. The fierceness she'd wielded only moments ago seemed distant now, but I knew what I had witnessed.

"I know she is," I murmured, my voice soft as I carried her away from the battlefield.

***

As we arrived at the village, it was clear that the Voidborne had left chaos in their wake. Fires crackled in nearly every corner, casting a flickering orange glow against the crumbling walls. The once peaceful streets were empty—every villager had evacuated, leaving only the rebels to fend off any remaining threat. For now, the Voidborne were gone, but the damage was devastating.