[System Emergency Protocol: Soul Link Activation Detected]
You and Kaelion are now spiritually tethered. Your emotions, energy, and pain will mirror one another.
Note: This was not meant to activate until "Final Bond Path" Chapter. A third party has tampered with the system.
Selene stared at the glowing mark pulsing on Kaelion's chest — the same arcane sigil that once marked her during her execution.
Now it burned between his collarbones… and mirrored her heartbeat.
They were linked.
Kaelion stirred. His brows drew tight.
"What… is this?"
Selene backed away. "You weren't supposed to—this wasn't meant for you."
He sat up, his breath shallow. "Explain. Now."
[System Alert: Host must choose: Lie | Reveal partial truth | Reveal everything]
Note: Bond strength and survival chance depend on this choice.
She swallowed.
Then she said:
"I'm not who I was. I died three years from now… and came back."
Kaelion froze.
"I died begging you to save me. You didn't."
His eyes widened — gold rimmed with horror.
"And now," she whispered, "we're tied together. Your life… is bound to mine."
Moments Later
Kaelion stood at the far end of the chamber. Rigid. Silent.
Finally: "And Lucien?"
Selene's voice was colder. "I don't know who he works for… but someone wants us apart. Wants us destroyed before the future I saw begins."
[System Alert: Soul Link Stabilizing. Kaelion Affection +32 → +40.]
You may now share energy, thoughts (at random), and sense danger near one another.
He turned toward her.
"What happens if one of us dies now?"
She met his eyes. "We both do."
Suddenly — Pain Spiked in Her Chest
Selene gasped, clutching her side.
Kaelion staggered as well — identical pain flashing across his face.
[System Warning: Soul Link Disruption Detected. One of you has been targeted by a curse. Source: Unknown.]
Outside, wind howled against the palace walls.
A shadow stood on the roof of the west tower — cloak fluttering like wings.
Lucien.
Watching.
Smiling.
Kaelion crossed the room in three strides, gripping Selene's wrist, his voice low and furious.
"From now on," he said, "I'm not leaving your side."
Selene opened her mouth—
But the system cut in first.
[Next Quest: "The Ceremony of Binding"]
You must now complete the Soul Link Ritual… or die within 72 hours.