The night fell slower than usual.
As if even time itself was hesitant to move forward.
The battlefield was now empty—completely abandoned except for three figures.
Aria.
Rowan.
And the Dragon King.
A temporary shelter had been created using ancient dragon magic. A dome of faint golden light surrounded them, protecting Rowan's fragile condition from any external disturbance.
But the real danger…
Wasn't outside.
It was inside him.
Aria sat beside Rowan, unmoving.
Her hand was still holding his.
Tightly.
As if letting go—even for a second—might take him away forever.
"…You said the seal is temporary."
Her voice was quiet, but firm.
The Dragon King stood nearby, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"Yes."
"How long?"
A pause.
"…I don't know."
Aria's fingers tightened.
"That's not good enough."
The Dragon King didn't react immediately.
Instead, he looked at Rowan.
At the faint red mark beneath the golden chains of energy.
"It depends on him."
"…What?"
"The seal is not just suppressing the Void."
He turned his gaze toward Aria.
"It is also relying on Rowan's will."
Aria's heart skipped.
"Meaning…?"
"If he gives in—even for a moment…"
The air grew heavy.
"…the seal will break."
Silence.
Aria looked back at Rowan.
His face was calm.
Too calm.
"…He won't give in."
She said it without hesitation.
Without doubt.
The Dragon King watched her for a moment.
Then—
"…You trust him that much?"
Aria didn't even look up.
"More than anything."
Suddenly—
A faint tremor ran through Rowan's body.
Aria froze.
"Rowan?"
His fingers twitched.
Then—
A sharp breath.
"Ghh—!"
His body tensed violently.
The golden chains flickered.
The red mark beneath them pulsed once.
Then again.
Stronger.
"…No."
Aria leaned closer.
"Stay with me…"
Rowan's eyes slowly opened.
And for a moment—
They were normal.
"…Aria…"
Relief hit her instantly.
"You're awake!"
But something was wrong.
His voice—
It sounded distant.
Like he was speaking from far away.
"…I can hear it…"
Aria's smile faded.
"…What?"
Rowan's gaze shifted slightly.
Not looking at her.
But through her.
"…It's calling me."
The temperature inside the dome dropped.
The golden light flickered.
The Dragon King stepped forward.
"…What do you see?"
Rowan's breathing became uneven.
"Darkness… endless darkness…"
His hand tightened around Aria's.
"…And eyes."
Aria felt a chill run down her spine.
"…Eyes?"
"Watching."
A pause.
"Waiting."
BOOM—
The red mark flared suddenly.
The chains shook violently.
Aria grabbed him.
"ROWAN!"
Rowan's body arched as if something was pulling him from the inside.
"…It's… pulling me—!"
His voice broke.
"Don't fight it blindly!" the Dragon King shouted.
Aria looked up.
"What do you mean?!"
"If he resists too hard—"
The Dragon King's expression darkened.
"…it will consume him faster."
Rowan gasped.
His eyes flickered again.
Black.
Red.
Normal.
Over and over.
"…I can't… hold it…"
Aria shook her head.
"No! You can!"
Tears formed in her eyes again.
"You promised!"
Her voice trembled.
"You said you wouldn't leave me!"
For a second—
Everything went still.
Rowan's eyes locked onto hers.
Clear.
Focused.
"…Then don't let me fall."
Aria froze.
"…What?"
"If I lose control…"
His grip tightened.
"…stop me."
Her heart shattered.
"I'm not doing that."
"Aria—"
"I said NO!"
Golden light burst around her again.
Stronger than before.
"I didn't come this far to lose you!"
The light wrapped around both of them.
Warm.
Protective.
Alive.
The Dragon King's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That power…"
It wasn't normal light anymore.
It was evolving.
Responding.
To her emotions.
The red mark reacted instantly.
Darkness surged again—
But this time—
It couldn't reach her.
It burned.
Destroyed by her light.
Rowan's breathing slowly stabilized.
The chains calmed.
The mark dimmed.
And finally—
Silence.
Aria didn't move.
She held him close.
As if anchoring him to reality.
"…You're not going anywhere."
Her voice was soft.
But unbreakable.
After a while—
Rowan slowly spoke again.
"…I saw him."
The Dragon King immediately stepped closer.
"…The Void Emperor?"
Rowan nodded weakly.
"…He's not just watching…"
A pause.
"…He's waiting for me."
Aria's chest tightened.
"Why you?"
Rowan didn't answer immediately.
His hand slowly moved to his chest.
To the mark.
"…Because this…"
His voice dropped.
"…isn't just a connection."
The air grew heavy again.
"…It's a key."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
The Dragon King finally spoke.
"…Then we are running out of time."
Aria looked up sharply.
"What do we do?"
The Dragon King's gaze hardened.
"For now—we hide him."
"Hide?"
"Yes."
He turned toward the distant mountains.
"There are places even the Void cannot see clearly."
Aria stood slowly.
Still holding Rowan.
"Then we go there."
No hesitation.
No fear.
The Dragon King nodded.
"…But understand this."
His voice turned serious.
"This is no longer just a war."
A pause.
"It is a race."
Aria's eyes narrowed.
"Race?"
"Between his will…"
He looked at Rowan.
"And the Void's corruption."
Far away—
Beyond reality—
The Void Emperor smiled.
"…Run."
His voice echoed endlessly.
"Hide him."
Darkness swirled around him.
Hungry.
Patient.
"It won't matter."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Because the moment he breaks—"
The void trembled.
"…he will open the door himself."
Back in the human world—
Aria helped Rowan stand.
Slowly.
Carefully.
But her grip—
Never loosened.
"Let's go."
Her voice was steady now.
Determined.
"No more waiting."
The journey had begun.
Not toward victory—
But survival.
Because this time—
The enemy wasn't just coming.
It was already inside them.
To Be Continued…