The room trembled with tension. Elara's heart thundered as shadows lunged forward, their burning eyes cutting through the darkness like blades.
Kael stood firm, silver flames swirling around him, his every breath a storm of power.
"Stay close!" he commanded, voice sharp.
Elara's hands trembled but glowed steadily now, a soft white light wrapping her fingers.
The Sentinels moved in synchronized precision—silent, ruthless. One lunged, claws extended.
Kael met it mid-air, a clash of silver flame against dark shadow that sent sparks flying.
Elara watched, awe and fear mingling in her chest.
---
"Focus, Elara!" Kael shouted, parrying another attack. "Feel the pendant. Trust it."
Elara closed her eyes, drawing breath deep. The pendant pulsed fiercely against her chest, warming her like a heartbeat.
Suddenly, a wave of energy exploded from her hands—a bright, white surge that knocked two Sentinels back.
The room lit with a brilliant glow.
She opened her eyes.
They burned gold.
---
The Sentinels hissed, regrouping.
Kael's eyes never left Elara. "You're stronger than you think."
She bit her lip, summoning courage.
A shadow leapt toward her—faster than she could react.
Instinct took over. She thrust her hands forward.
A shimmering barrier of light bloomed, stopping the attacker mid-lunge.
The Sentinel snarled and dissolved into black smoke, retreating.
---
Kael ran to her side, his breathing ragged but steady.
"You did that. You protected yourself."
Elara's chest heaved. "I didn't know I could do that."
Kael's face softened. "The power was always inside you—locked away for protection."
"But why? Why hide it?"
Kael looked away, pain flickering in his eyes.
"The curse... it tries to keep us apart, keep you safe. But it's breaking."
Suddenly, a cold chill swept the room. The largest Sentinel stepped forward, cloaked in darkness, eyes blazing like molten lava.
Kael's flames flared higher, a fierce glow radiating from him.
"This is their leader," Kael warned.
Elara gripped the pendant tightly.
The air thickened.
The battle was far from over.