The tension in the air was palpable as the group made their way deeper into the mist-covered forest. The atmosphere had shifted; the forest, once mysterious but quiet, now seemed alive with an energy that none of them could ignore. Tay kept close to New, his senses heightened, while Ryu and Jarin followed behind, exchanging occasional glances of concern.
“Do you feel that?” New asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel the magic within him stirring, responding to something in the forest.
Tay nodded, his eyes scanning the trees. “It’s like the forest is trying to tell us something.”
Suddenly, the mist swirled around them, forming shapes in the air—vague figures that seemed to whisper unintelligible words. Mina gasped, stepping back instinctively, while Jarin’s eyes narrowed in concentration.
“We’re not alone,” Jarin muttered, his hand glowing faintly with magic.
Without warning, a bright light erupted from New’s hands, pushing back the mist and revealing a path through the trees. The light faded, but the path remained, beckoning them forward.
“This way,” New said, his voice steady but his heart racing. He led them down the path, feeling the magic pulsing through him, guiding him.
As they walked, Tay couldn’t help but steal glances at New. The power he had witnessed in New was growing, becoming something extraordinary. But along with that power came a weight—a burden that New was carrying, and Tay could see it in the way New’s shoulders slumped, despite his brave front.
When they finally reached a small clearing, the mist thinned, revealing an ancient, weathered shrine hidden among the trees. Symbols etched into the stone walls glowed faintly, the same symbols they had seen before.
“This place…” Mina trailed off, stepping closer to the shrine. “It’s like the magic is concentrated here.”
Jarin placed his hand on the stone, feeling the energy radiating from it. “It’s a focal point. The heart of the forest’s magic.”
New stood in front of the shrine, his heart pounding. He could feel it—something deep inside, pulling at him, as if this place was connected to him in ways he didn’t yet understand. He placed his hand on the stone, and the symbols flared to life, casting the clearing in a warm glow.
As the others watched, New’s body glowed with the same light. It was beautiful, almost ethereal, but Tay saw the strain in New’s expression.
“New,” Tay called, stepping forward. “Are you okay?”
New turned to face Tay, the glow around him fading as he stepped back from the shrine. His face was pale, but his eyes were clear. “I’m fine… just—there’s so much. I don’t know how to control it.”
Tay’s heart clenched at the sight of New’s vulnerability. He stepped forward, gently taking New’s hand in his. “You don’t have to do this alone.”
The moment between them was intense, the air thick with unsaid emotions. Tay’s eyes searched New’s, and without thinking, he pulled New into a tight embrace.
“You don’t have to carry this on your own,” Tay whispered, his voice raw with emotion. “I’ll be with you. Always.”
New closed his eyes, resting his head on Tay’s shoulder, the warmth of his presence calming the storm inside him. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” New whispered back, his voice trembling slightly.
Tay pulled back just enough to look New in the eyes, his hand resting on New’s cheek. “I love you, New. More than anything.”
The words hung in the air between them, heavy and real. New’s eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat. He had known for a while how deep his feelings for Tay went, but hearing those words broke something open inside him.
“I love you too,” New said, his voice barely above a whisper. But in that moment, the words felt more powerful than any magic he had ever felt.
Tay smiled, his heart swelling with emotion. He leaned in, pressing his lips against New’s in a soft, tender kiss. The kiss deepened as New melted into Tay’s arms, the warmth between them chasing away the cold of the mist.
For a moment, the world outside disappeared. It was just them—Tay and New, their love grounding them in a world filled with uncertainty and danger.
As they pulled apart, the soft glow of magic still lingered in the air, as if the forest itself was acknowledging their bond. But before they could savor the moment, the ground beneath them trembled.
“What was that?” Ryu asked, eyes wide as the shaking grew more intense.
The symbols on the shrine flared to life once again, brighter this time, and a deep, resonant sound echoed through the forest. Jarin cursed under his breath, stepping forward with his hands glowing, ready for whatever was coming.
Out of the shadows, a figure emerged. Tall, cloaked in dark robes, with glowing eyes that pierced through the mist. The presence sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
“That’s not a guardian,” Jarin said, his voice low. “That’s something far worse.”
The figure stepped closer, its voice a low growl. “You’ve tampered with forces you cannot control.”
Tay instinctively moved in front of New, his heart racing. He wasn’t about to let anything happen to him.
“Who are you?” Tay demanded, his voice steady despite the fear gripping him.
The figure’s eyes flickered towards New. “I am the Keeper of the Shadows. And the boy you love is bound to powers that will destroy you all.”
New’s heart pounded, fear mixing with the warmth of Tay’s confession. But he couldn’t let that fear control him.
“No,” New said, stepping forward, his voice filled with a newfound strength. “I won’t let that happen. Not while Tay is by my side.”
The Keeper’s eyes narrowed, and the mist around them thickened. “Then prove your strength, if you dare.”
As the challenge hung in the air, Tay’s hand tightened around New’s. No matter what came next, they were in this together.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
