Liana staggered forward, her breaths shallow, her muscles aching from the last trial. The narrow corridor twisted and stretched endlessly ahead, shadows swirling like living things along the stone walls. Behind her, the Shadow King walked in silence, his steps steady, his silver eyes reflecting the faint glow of the mark on her wrist.
"We're almost there," he murmured.
"Almost where?" Liana asked, gripping the Blade of the Veil tighter.
He didn't answer. Instead, his gaze shifted ahead, toward a faint shimmer of light in the distance—like a lone star at the end of a dark tunnel.
As they approached, the passage widened into a vast cavern. Jagged crystals jutted from the ground, casting eerie reflections across the black stone floor. A pool of liquid silver rippled at the center, its surface glowing softly beneath an invisible moon.
But they were not alone.
From across the cavern, a figure emerged.
A woman draped in flowing crimson robes, her long red hair cascading down her back like molten fire. Her violet eyes gleamed beneath dark lashes, and a faint smile curved her lips as she approached.
"Shadow King," she greeted, her voice lilting and warm. "You didn't tell me you were bringing company."
The Shadow King's gaze softened, just a fraction. "Sera."
Liana blinked. Sera. The name sounded familiar—whispered once in an old story, perhaps, or murmured in passing between shadows.
Sera turned her gaze to Liana, her smile widening. "And you must be the mortal girl he's been protecting so fiercely. I've heard much about you."
Liana lifted her chin warily. "Who are you?"
"I'm Sera," the woman said lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "A cousin of our dear king here. You could call me a princess of the Lower Realm. But titles don't matter between friends, do they?"
Friends. The word felt oddly sharp.
Before Liana could answer, a tremor rippled through the cavern. Shadows coiled along the walls, gathering into a swirling mass at the far end of the chamber. From the darkness, a monstrous form began to rise—a beast of stone and shadow, its many eyes glowing red, its claws scraping against the earth.
Liana raised her sword instinctively. "Another enemy?"
"A guardian," the Shadow King replied grimly. "One we must pass."
The beast let out a deafening roar and lunged.
Liana darted forward, swinging the Blade of the Veil in a shining arc. Sparks burst as steel met claw, but the force of the blow knocked her backward, sending her sprawling across the stone.
The Shadow King stepped forward, lifting his hand—but before he could strike, Sera moved.
With a wave of her arm, a wave of radiant fire erupted from her palm, engulfing the beast in a cyclone of light. The creature shrieked, staggering beneath the assault.
"Stay back," Sera called to Liana. "I'll handle this."
Liana climbed to her feet, watching in disbelief as Sera spun gracefully, weaving spells that shimmered like ribbons of starlight. Each gesture sent another burst of magic toward the beast, driving it to its knees.
"She's powerful," Liana murmured.
"She's always been gifted," the Shadow King said quietly.
In a final motion, Sera raised both hands, and a sphere of brilliant energy formed between her palms. With a cry, she hurled it at the creature's chest. The blast struck true—the beast roared, then collapsed into dust.
Silence returned.
Sera lowered her arms, her breath barely quickened. She turned, her violet eyes gleaming as she approached Liana.
"You should be more careful," Sera said gently. "If I hadn't been here, that thing might've killed you."
Liana swallowed. "I… thank you."
Sera tilted her head. "I only did what anyone would. After all, you're important to him."
Liana frowned slightly. "Important?"
Sera's smile deepened. "Oh yes. He doesn't risk his life for just anyone. You must be very special to him."
The Shadow King remained silent.
A strange knot tightened in Liana's chest.
As they moved forward, Sera walked beside the Shadow King, speaking softly in a language Liana couldn't understand. Occasionally, Sera leaned closer, her hand brushing his sleeve, her laughter soft like bells. And though the Shadow King did not smile, he didn't pull away.
Liana watched quietly, her steps slower, her thoughts tangled.
A voice whispered inside her mind. They belong together. You don't.
She shook her head. No. This wasn't the time for such doubts.
But as they crossed the next threshold, the feeling remained—a shadow coiling quietly beneath her ribs.
Suddenly, Sera fell back beside her, linking arms with Liana as if they were lifelong friends.
"You must find it difficult," Sera said sweetly.
"Find what difficult?" Liana asked cautiously.
"Being by his side," Sera murmured. "Knowing he carries the burden of a throne… of an entire realm. He needs someone who understands that world. Someone who belongs to it."
Liana stiffened. "And you think that's you?"
Sera's smile didn't falter. "It's not about thinking, darling. It's about what's destined."
Destined.
The word echoed hollowly.
Ahead, the Shadow King waited at the edge of a bridge stretching over a chasm of swirling mist. As Liana approached, his gaze met hers—steady, unreadable.
"Come," he said. "We have further to go."
But as she stepped onto the bridge, Sera's words clung to her like a lingering mist.
Someone who belongs to his world.
She wasn't sure if that was her.
Yet as they walked across the narrow bridge, Liana felt the weight of every step pressing deeper into her bones. The wind rose around them, whispering forgotten names, carrying echoes of promises she didn't remember making. Behind her, Sera's footsteps were light, effortless—as if she had always belonged here. And beside her, the Shadow King walked forward without looking back, his cloak billowing like a shadow that never touched the light.
Each gust of wind seemed to peel another layer from her resolve, scattering doubts like fallen leaves across the void below. For a moment, she wondered—if she fell, would anyone reach for her hand? Or would they keep walking, leaving her to vanish into the mist? She gripped the Blade of the Veil tighter, planting her feet firmly, as if daring the bridge—and fate itself—to throw her off.
Still, even with her resolve, the quiet ache in her chest remained, a silent question she couldn't shake.
Did she belong here?
Or was she merely passing through a story that was never meant to be hers?