Chapter 9: The Eternal Bond

The throne room remained silent long after the silver light disappeared.

Every supernatural leader stared at Evelyn as though they had witnessed the impossible.

She looked down at the glowing symbol over her heart before lifting confused eyes toward Thaddeus.

"Tell me the truth," she whispered.

"What exactly happened?"

Thaddeus dismissed the council with a wave of his hand.

"Leave us."

"But Dark King—"

"Now."

No one dared argue.

Within minutes, only Thaddeus, Ryland, Orion, and Evelyn remained inside the massive hall.

Evelyn crossed her arms.

"I'm tired of everyone talking in riddles."

"I deserve answers."

Orion nodded.

"You do."

He walked toward an ancient mural carved into the wall.

The faded artwork showed four figures standing beneath a crimson moon.

Three warriors cloaked in darkness stood beside a woman radiating silver light.

"Centuries ago," Orion began, "an ancient prophecy foretold the arrival of four souls destined to either save the world... or destroy it."

"Three beings born from darkness."

"One born from light."

"Together they would share something called the Eternal Bond."

Evelyn looked from the mural to Thaddeus.

"You're saying that's us?"

Ryland nodded slowly.

"Looks that way."

"No..." Evelyn shook her head.

"There has to be some mistake."

"I'm human."

"You were," Thaddeus corrected quietly.

"Your blood has awakened."

"Everything is changing now."

"I don't want it to change."

Her voice trembled.

"I just wanted a normal life."

Silence followed.

Finally, Thaddeus spoke.

"So did I... once."

Those unexpected words caught everyone by surprise.

Even Ryland looked toward him.

"Before the darkness found me... I had a family."

"I laughed."

"I dreamed."

"I believed the world was kind."

"Then everything was taken away."

For the first time, Evelyn saw the loneliness hidden beneath his cold exterior.

He wasn't heartless.

He was broken.

Before anyone could speak again, the mark over Evelyn's heart suddenly pulsed.

Pain shot through her chest.

"Ah!"

She grabbed the edge of a nearby table to keep herself standing.

At that exact moment, Thaddeus clutched his own chest.

"What..." Ryland muttered.

Orion's eyes widened.

"They're sharing pain."

"The bond has synchronized."

The silver mark glowed brighter.

Suddenly, visions flooded Evelyn's mind.

She saw a young boy with black hair smiling beside a woman.

A happy family.

Laughter.

Warmth.

Then...

Darkness.

Blood.

Fire.

Screams echoed everywhere.

The boy's eyes turned completely black.

Cities burned.

Mountains crumbled.

Thousands fled from him in terror.

"No!" Evelyn screamed as the vision ended.

She collapsed to her knees, breathing heavily.

"What did you see?" Orion asked.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"His memories..."

Everyone turned toward Thaddeus.

His expression had become unreadable.

"The bond allows us to feel each other's emotions," he explained.

"Eventually... memories too."

"I felt your pain," Evelyn whispered.

"All those years..."

"You were alone."

Thaddeus looked away.

"Don't pity me."

"I don't."

"Then what?"

She hesitated before answering.

"I understand you a little more now."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Ryland smiled faintly.

"That's progress."

Suddenly...

Every candle inside the hall extinguished at once.

A chilling laugh echoed through the room.

"How touching."

Dark smoke gathered near the throne.

Malachar's spectral form appeared inside the chamber.

"Impossible!" Orion shouted.

"He's projecting himself through shadow magic."

Malachar ignored him.

His gaze settled on Evelyn.

"The bond has awakened faster than expected."

"Excellent."

"You'll never have her," Thaddeus growled.

Malachar smiled.

"You're mistaken."

"I don't need to take her."

"Soon... she'll come willingly."

"What are you talking about?" Evelyn demanded.

"Ask the Dark King what happens during the Blood Moon."

Thaddeus's jaw tightened.

"Tell her," Malachar mocked.

"Tell her what your darkness becomes."

Silence.

Evelyn slowly turned toward Thaddeus.

"What is he talking about?"

Thaddeus didn't answer.

"Thaddeus..."

Finally, he spoke.

"During the Blood Moon..."

"I lose control."

"Completely."

"And if I can't master the darkness before then..."

"The person I become..."

"...will kill everything in my path."

Malachar laughed as his projection dissolved into smoke.

"Including the woman he loves."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Evelyn stared at Thaddeus.

He never denied it.