**Chapter 7 — Whispers from the Crack**
Liora woke up with a start. The sun was high in the sky, but the ruins felt cold and strange. She sat up quickly, looking around for Cairis.
He was standing a few feet away, talking quietly with Elder Thorne. Their voices were low, but she could hear some words.
"…the cracks are unstable," the elder was saying. "They have been whispering more lately. Old voices from the Abyss. You should not stay long."
Cairis crossed his arms. His wounds looked a little better, but he still looked dangerous. "We leave at dusk. Tell me if any knights come near this place."
Liora stood up and walked closer, rubbing her eyes. "What's happening? Did something bad happen while I was sleeping?"
Both men turned to look at her. Elder Thorne gave her a small, careful smile. "You are awake, shadow witch. Good. Your demon friend has been asking many questions about the old paths."
Cairis shot the elder a cold look. "She is not my friend. Just is useful for now."
Liora felt nervous. She moved closer to Cairis but stayed a safe distance. "What old paths? Are we going into the Abyssal lands?"
Elder Thorne nodded slowly. "There is a crack nearby. A small tear between our world and the fractured demonic kingdoms. It is dangerous, but it may hide you from the Church for a while. However, things come through sometimes. Creatures. Voices. Memories that are not your own."
Liora's stomach twisted with fear. "I don't like the sound of that. I've only ever used simple magic. What if something bad comes out while we're there?"
Cairis turned to her. His red-gold eyes were sharp and serious. "Then you stay close to me and keep your mouth shut. The Abyss does not care if you are scared. It will test you."
Elder Thorne looked between them with interest. "The bond between you two is strong. I can feel it. A piece of his heart lives in you now. That kind of magic is old and forbidden. The Church would kill you both just for existing like this."
Liora hugged herself. "I know. I made a mistake. I saw a bad future and I tried to fix it. Now everything is falling apart."
The elder sighed. "Many have tried to change fate. Most only make it worse. But perhaps this time it is different."
Cairis stepped closer to Liora. His voice dropped low and threatening. "Enough talking. You need supplies before we move. Food, water, anything the old man can give us. And you — stop looking so afraid. It makes you look weak."
Liora nodded quickly, but her hands were still shaking. "Okay. I'll try. But I'm really scared of going near that crack. What if it pulls us in? What if I hear voices like he said?"
"You will hear them," Cairis said flatly. "And you will ignore them. If the bond pulls too hard, tell me. Do not hide it."
Elder Thorne brought them some bread, dried meat, and a skin of water. "Take these. The crack is half a mile east. Be careful. The Church has been sending more patrols this way lately. They sense the growing instability."
Cairis took the supplies and handed some to Liora. "Eat while you walk. We cannot waste time."
They left the ruins and headed east through the thinning trees. Liora ate the bread in small bites, but fear made it hard to swallow.
After some time, the air started to feel different. Thicker. Warmer. The ground had strange black veins running through the dirt, like cracks in glass.
"We are close," Cairis said. "The tear is just ahead."
Liora's steps slowed. "It feels wrong here. Like the world is broken. Cairis… I'm scared. What if the voices tell me bad things? What if they make me see the future again?"
Cairis stopped and looked at her. His expression was hard. "Fear will not protect you. Only strength will. If voices come, you fight them with your mind. You belong to me now — the bond makes sure of that. No voice from the Abyss will take you from me."
Liora looked up at him, eyes wide with fear. "You keep saying I belong to you. It sounds like a threat."
"It is a threat," Cairis replied coldly. "And a promise. I decide when this bond ends. Not you. Not the Church. Not the voices."
They reached the edge of the crack.
It was a jagged tear in the ground, about ten feet wide. Black mist rose from it slowly. Strange whispers floated in the air — soft voices saying words Liora could not quite understand. They sounded sad, angry, and hungry all at once.
Liora stepped back. "I don't like this. The voices… they sound like they know me."
Cairis grabbed her arm and pulled her forward gently but firmly. "We cross here. Stay right beside me. If the mist tries to pull you, fight it."
As they got closer, one voice became clearer. It whispered directly to Liora.
"…power… you can have everything… just let go…"
Liora shook her head fast. "No. Go away. I don't want power."
Cairis noticed and tightened his grip. "Ignore it. Keep walking."
Another whisper came, this time sounding like her own voice from the future. "You will lose him anyway… why fight it?"
Tears filled Liora's eyes. "Cairis… it's saying I'll lose you. Just like in the vision."
Cairis stopped at the very edge of the crack and turned to her. His face was close, his voice low and dangerous. "Listen to me, little witch. You stole my heart. That means you do not get to lose me unless I allow it. Now stop crying and cross with me."
Liora nodded, wiping her tears. "Okay… I'll try. Just… don't let go of my arm."
They stepped carefully around the crack. The black mist brushed against Liora's skin and made her shiver. The voices grew louder for a moment, then slowly faded as they moved past the worst part.
When they reached the other side, Liora let out a shaky breath. "We made it. But I still feel strange. Like something followed us."
Cairis looked back at the crack, his expression dark. "Something always follows. That is the price of the Abyssal realms."
He started walking again, pulling her along. "We head north now. There is an old cave system I remember from years ago. We can hide there until I regain more strength."
Liora followed, still scared but a little relieved they had passed the crack. "Will it be safer there?"
"Nothing is safe," Cairis said. "But it will be better than being out in the open when the Church sends more knights."
As they walked deeper into the new area, the forest changed. The trees were darker, with red leaves instead of green. The air smelled faintly of smoke and metal.
Liora spoke quietly. "Thank you for not leaving me at the crack."
Cairis did not look at her. "Do not thank me. I protect what is mine. And right now, you are mine — whether we like it or not."
Liora stayed silent after that.
The bond between them felt heavier with every step. She was scared of the voices, scared of the Church, and scared of the dangerous demon walking beside her.
But deep down, a tiny part of her was starting to believe that maybe — just maybe — he would not let her die so easily.
Ahead, the entrance to a dark cave appeared between two large rocks.
Cairis stopped. "This is it. Stay alert. Caves like this sometimes hold more than just darkness."
Liora took a deep breath and nodded.
She had come too far to turn back now.
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