Chapter 40 Elemental Shock To Challenge The Binding Spell

• Raya’s POV
• The descent from the treacherous mountain pass, though necessitated by Kaelen’s broken arm, brought us closer to the elemental purity of the high-altitude wilderness. Kaelen’s movement remained agonisingly difficult, forcing him to rely heavily on my support. The constant pressure of the binding spell was taking a visible toll; his skin was pallid, and the shallow rhythm of his breath indicated the energy drain was severe. The small, successful defense against the cult’s familiars had bought us time, but it had not addressed the fundamental, killing mechanism of the curse.
• We made camp near the foot of the massif, where the terrain leveled into a high, ancient valley carved by glacial melt. The air was frigid, cutting clean and sharp, carrying the scent of rock and elemental water. I focused on settling Kaelen, securing his splinted arm, and ensuring the protective talisman remained pressed against his chest.