The witch's clouded eyes held ancient knowledge. “Your grandmother and I are just two players in a game that began at the first sundering of worlds. Your love story is vital, yes, but part of a pattern laid down eons ago.”
Through their bond, Silas felt Thorne processing this with a guardian's long view of history. “The prophecy wasn't just about healing our forest,” he said slowly. “It was about proving balance is possible at all.”
“Yes.” Agnes began arranging crystals in a pattern that made the key burn against Silas's chest. “What you've achieved here gives hope that other realms might do the same. But it also draws attention from powers that prefer division.”
“How long?” Thorne asked, his crown of branches catching morning light while shadows danced beneath.
“Until the alignment? Three months.” Agnes's expression turned grim. “Barely time to gather allies and prepare, let alone figure out how your bond fits into the larger pattern.”
The transformed entity showed them more visions - armies clashing as realms collided, ancient powers awakening to test new possibilities, and something darker taking shape in the spaces between worlds. Their personal victory had triggered conflicts centuries in the making.
“Well,” Silas said, feeling Thorne's fierce love match his own determination, “at least we're not bored.”
Their joined hands glowed with balanced magic as they faced this crossroads together. Healing their forest had been just the beginning. The real test lay ahead, with stakes far beyond their own love or realm.
But through their bond flowed perfect certainty - they would face whatever came next as one. Some choices were worth any price they demanded. Some truths had to be fought for, even knowing the cost.
Dawn painted their grove in shades of possibility as Silas leaned into Thorne's solid presence. Whatever game his grandmother had been playing, whatever conflicts their love had awakened, they would meet it together.
Some stories were bigger than personal happiness. Some loves changed more than just two hearts.
The real question was whether that change would save or shatter everything.