Shadows That Bind
**Aria's POV**
We should have died that day.
The marsh had become a slaughterhouse, its stagnant waters churning with fire, blood, and venom. The air was thick with the stench of rot and fear—a miasma that clung to the back of my throat like tar. I moved on instinct alone, the Flame in my palms flickering weakly, a dying star in the storm. Every surge of power drained me further, leaving my limbs leaden and my vision blurred at the edges. Nearby, Alexander fought like a man possessed, his sword carving through vines and enemies alike, but even his relentless strength was faltering. A gash across his ribs wept crimson, staining his tunic black in the moonlight.
Then came the scream.
