The fighting became increasingly fierce, the shadows becoming thicker as more assailants emerged. Aria battled alongside Luca, her link pulsating forcefully, its energy steadying her.
"They're not going to stop," Ethan whispered, his voice tense. "The curse is keeping itself safe."
Then we neither cease either, Luca shot back, his grey eyes flashing.
As Aria and Luca pushed forward, the pendant flashed brilliantly, its light slicing across the night. As the bond's energy surged and merged with the mark's brilliance they created a road into the center of the jungle.
The woodland spread out into a large clearing as they tore past the final line of assailants. At its core stood a soaring obsidian pillar with glowing marks on its surface that throbbed in sync with the energy of the relationship.
"This is it," Ethan replied, his voice full of both wonder and terror. "The pulse of the curse."
