《Bound by Light》


 The Fallen Star

    Prologue


    The heavens had always been a place of order, where the balance of light and darkness was absolute. For centuries, the celestial prison had held back the most dangerous creatures ever created¡ªdemons, beings of pure malice, trapped within walls of divine energy. But on this night, something changed.


    A crack. A shift in the very fabric of heaven¡¯s prison.


    It was subtle at first¡ªa whisper of darkness curling through the sacred halls. Then came the sound of chains snapping, one after another, a dreadful symphony of chaos. The demons, long imprisoned, found their moment. And they took it.


    One by one, they slipped through the breach, falling from the heavens like dying stars, their twisted souls descending into the world of humans. They took on human form, blending into the mortal realm, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.


    The angels knew what this meant. The balance was breaking. The war was beginning.


    And so, the ritual had to begin once more.


    Across the heavens, angels descended, searching for their destined partners. Each angel could only share their power once, binding themselves to a single human for a lifetime. This bond would grant the human supernatural strength, the ability to stand against the rising darkness.


    One angel, however, refused.


    She stood at the edge of the celestial plane, her golden eyes fixed on the world below. She had seen countless angels give up their strength, their divine gifts fading as they tethered themselves to mortals. She had no desire to weaken herself for a human she did not even know.


    Yet, fate had already chosen for her.


    Her human was waiting.


    And whether she liked it or not, their destinies were about to collide.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    <hr>


    Chapter 1


    The city hummed with life. Neon lights flickered against the rain-soaked streets, cars rushed past in chaotic harmony, and the distant sounds of chatter filled the air. But amidst the noise, one boy walked alone.


    Ethan had never fit in. Not at school, not at home, not anywhere. He wasn¡¯t the smartest, the strongest, or even the most interesting. He was just¡­ there. A shadow in the background.


    His hands were shoved into his jacket pockets as he made his way home, eyes fixed on the cracked pavement. Another day of being invisible. Another day of existing without purpose.


    At school, he was the kind of student teachers overlooked and classmates ignored. He wasn¡¯t bullied¡ªhe simply wasn¡¯t noticed. His grades were average, his athletic ability nonexistent, and his social life limited to occasional small talk with classmates who barely remembered his name. Even at home, things weren¡¯t much different. His parents were always busy, caught up in their own worlds. They weren¡¯t cruel or unkind, just distant, as if they had unknowingly accepted that their son would always be ordinary.


    But Ethan wanted to be something more. He just didn¡¯t know how.


    He often found himself wandering after school, walking the long way home just to avoid the emptiness of his apartment. Sometimes, he¡¯d sit by the river, staring at the city lights reflecting on the water, wondering if there was something out there¡ªsomething greater¡ªthat he just hadn¡¯t found yet.


    Then, everything changed.


    A streak of light split the sky, so bright it momentarily turned night into day. It wasn¡¯t a shooting star. It was something else¡ªsomething falling.


    Ethan stopped, his breath hitching. The light hurtled toward the earth, fast, uncontrolled, and then¡ªimpact. A deafening crash echoed through the city, shaking the ground beneath him. People screamed. Windows shattered.


    Instinct screamed at him to run. But something inside him whispered: Go.


    Drawn by something he couldn¡¯t explain, he turned and ran toward the impact site. Smoke billowed into the sky, and as he pushed through the panicked crowd, he saw it¡ªa crater in the middle of the street, steam rising from the broken asphalt.


    And in the center of it, a figure.


    A girl.


    She was unlike anyone he had ever seen. Long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, her golden eyes glowing even through the dust and debris. She stood, unharmed, unfazed, like she had fallen from the sky and simply decided to land.


    Then, her gaze locked onto him.


    For a moment, neither of them moved. The world around them blurred, the sounds of chaos fading. Ethan felt something shift, something deep and unexplainable.


    Then she spoke, her voice sharp as steel.


    "You¡¯re the one?" She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Of all the humans in this world, it had to be you?"


    Ethan blinked. "What?"


    She sighed, rubbing her temple. "This is going to be a nightmare."


    And just like that, Ethan¡¯s ordinary, lonely life shattered into something else entirely.

 The Unwanted Bond

    Ethan stood frozen, his mind struggling to make sense of what had just happened. The girl¡ªno, the **angel**¡ªwas looking at him like he was an inconvenience. The weight of her golden gaze made his stomach twist with unease.


    His heart pounded in his ears, a dull roar drowning out the distant sirens. His breath hitched. His body screamed at him to run, but he couldn¡¯t move. Not when her piercing eyes held him in place like an unspoken command.


    ¡°What¡­ what are you?¡± he managed to stammer, taking a hesitant step back.


    The angel exhaled sharply, irritation flashing across her face. ¡°Great. They picked a clueless one.¡±


    Ethan frowned. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    She ignored him, stepping out of the smoldering crater, her silver hair catching the faint glow of the streetlights. People were still shouting, sirens in the distance growing louder. The entire city had noticed her arrival.


    ¡°We need to leave,¡± she muttered, scanning their surroundings.


    ¡°Wait, **what**? I don¡¯t even know who you are!¡± Ethan protested, but she had already grabbed his wrist. The moment her fingers wrapped around him, a strange warmth flooded his body. His pulse quickened as something **shifted** inside him, an invisible thread pulling him toward her. His breath hitched.


    A sharp, searing sensation rippled through his chest¡ªnot painful, but undeniable. Like a second heartbeat awakening within him.


    ¡°What¡ªwhat is this?¡± he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    The angel¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°The bond.¡±


    Ethan had no idea what that meant, but he didn¡¯t have time to ask. The distant sirens were getting too close, and she was already pulling him into the nearest alleyway, away from prying eyes. Her grip was firm, her steps purposeful, as if she had done this a thousand times before.


    Once they were hidden, she finally let go, crossing her arms as she turned to face him. ¡°Listen, human. I don¡¯t have time to explain everything to you right now, so let¡¯s make this simple: I¡¯m an angel. You¡¯re the human I was assigned to. Unfortunately, that means we¡¯re stuck together now.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Ethan blinked. ¡°Stuck?¡±


    She nodded, clearly displeased. ¡°Yes. Thanks to some ancient celestial ritual, I¡¯m supposed to share my power with a human. And, for some unfathomable reason, **you** were chosen.¡±


    Ethan¡¯s head was spinning. This had to be some sort of elaborate prank. Maybe he had fallen asleep watching one of those over-the-top fantasy movies, and this was just some bizarre dream. But then¡­ he looked at her again. The way she carried herself, the otherworldly glow in her eyes¡ªit was **real**.


    He swallowed hard. ¡°You¡¯re serious.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Took you long enough to figure that out.¡±


    Ethan rubbed his temples. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s say I believe you. Why me? I¡¯m not special. I¡¯m not strong. I¡¯m just¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªordinary?¡± she finished for him, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Yeah, I can see that.¡±


    ¡°Wow, thanks,¡± he muttered. ¡°That makes me feel **so** much better.¡±


    The angel sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t like this any more than you do. I wasn¡¯t exactly **excited** to be bound to some random human. But fate decided, and now we¡¯re connected.¡±


    Ethan hesitated. ¡°Connected¡­ how?¡±


    Her golden eyes met his, and for the first time, there was something beneath the irritation¡ªsomething serious. ¡°The bond means our fates are intertwined. If you get hurt, I feel it. If I get hurt, **you** feel it.¡±


    Ethan felt a cold chill run through him. ¡°That¡­ that sounds like a terrible deal for you.¡±


    She scoffed. ¡°Glad you¡¯re catching on. It¡¯s why most angels don¡¯t take this lightly. Once we share our power, it¡¯s permanent. I can never choose another human.¡±


    ¡°Never?¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°One bond. One lifetime.¡±


    Ethan absorbed her words in silence. He never thought of himself as someone important¡ªjust a kid drifting through life, invisible to the world. But now, somehow, an angel had been **forced** to share her power with him. It was overwhelming.


    He hesitated before asking, ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s your name?¡±


    The angel blinked, as if the question surprised her. After a pause, she exhaled and muttered, ¡°Seraphina.¡±


    ¡°Seraphina,¡± Ethan repeated, testing the name on his tongue. It suited her.


    She looked away. ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it.¡±


    Before he could respond, a sudden, sharp pain flared in his chest, stealing the air from his lungs. It felt like a hot dagger driving into his ribs. He staggered, clutching his side. The pain wasn¡¯t his¡ªit belonged to someone else.


    Seraphina tensed, her face momentarily contorted in pain before she quickly masked it. ¡°They¡¯re here.¡±


    Ethan barely had time to process her words before the shadows around them began to shift. The air turned ice-cold, and a deep, guttural growl echoed through the alleyway. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.


    Something **was watching them.**


    Seraphina stepped in front of him, her eyes blazing. ¡°Stay behind me, human.¡±


    Ethan didn¡¯t argue. For the first time in his life, **he wasn¡¯t invisible anymore.**


    And he wasn¡¯t sure he liked it.

 The Awakening of Power

    Ethan¡¯s breath hitched as the darkness in the alley thickened, twisting unnaturally. A pair of glowing red eyes flickered to life, followed by another, and then another. Shapes materialized from the shadows¡ªtall, lean figures with elongated limbs and razor-sharp fingers. Their bodies pulsed with an eerie, shifting blackness, as though they were made of living smoke.


    His throat tightened. ¡°Seraphina, what¡ª¡±


    ¡°Demons,¡± she muttered, her voice sharp. Her wings flared, feathers gleaming like molten silver under the dim streetlights. Ethan swore he saw her pulse with energy, the air around her vibrating with something unseen.


    One of the creatures stepped forward, its mouth splitting open to reveal rows of jagged teeth. ¡°Angel,¡± it hissed, its voice layered and inhuman. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here.¡±


    Seraphina didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Neither should you.¡±


    The demon let out a guttural growl and lunged.


    Ethan barely had time to react before Seraphina moved. In an instant, she was a blur¡ªtwisting, dodging, and striking with effortless precision. She slammed her palm against the demon¡¯s chest, and a burst of golden light erupted on impact. The creature shrieked as its body burned away, dissolving into nothingness.


    The others hesitated, but only for a moment. Then they attacked as one.


    Seraphina fought like a force of nature, her movements impossibly fast. Every strike of her hand sent a demon writhing into oblivion. Yet, even as she held her ground, Ethan could see it¡ªshe was outnumbered.


    He took a shaky step back, his mind racing. What am I supposed to do?


    As if sensing his panic, Seraphina shouted, ¡°Stay behind me and don¡¯t do anything stupid!¡±


    A demon broke past her defenses, its clawed hand swiping at Ethan. He barely had time to duck, the creature¡¯s talons slicing through the air inches from his face. Instinctively, he threw out his hands in a feeble attempt to shield himself¡ª


    ¡ªand then it happened.


    A surge of heat coursed through his veins, electrifying his senses. His body moved on its own, jerking away just before the demon struck again. He stumbled, his heart hammering. What was that?


    Seraphina¡¯s head snapped toward him, her golden eyes widening. ¡°You¡ª¡±


    But she didn¡¯t get to finish.


    Another demon lunged. Ethan had no time to think¡ªhis body reacted before his mind caught up. He twisted out of the way, a strange energy guiding his movement. The demon¡¯s claws missed him by a fraction of an inch, but instead of fear, a strange certainty settled in his chest.


    He wasn¡¯t helpless.


    Seraphina didn¡¯t waste the opportunity. She slammed her foot into the demon¡¯s back, sending it crashing into the wall. A burst of golden light followed, and the creature disintegrated into ash.


    The remaining demons hesitated, their crimson eyes flicking between Seraphina and Ethan. Then, with an ear-piercing screech, they melted back into the shadows, retreating as suddenly as they had appeared.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Silence settled over the alley.


    Ethan exhaled shakily, his entire body trembling. He turned to Seraphina, who was staring at him¡ªnot with irritation this time, but with something else.


    Shock. Confusion. Recognition.


    ¡°What just happened?¡± he asked, voice hoarse.


    She didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she took a step closer, studying him with an intensity that made his skin prickle. ¡°That energy,¡± she murmured. ¡°That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen.¡±


    Ethan frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    She hesitated, her gaze locked onto his. Finally, she whispered, almost to herself, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have been able to move like that.¡±


    Ethan swallowed hard. He wasn¡¯t sure what that meant, but one thing was certain¡ª


    Whatever this bond between them was, it had just changed everything.


    Chapter 3


    Ethan¡¯s breath hitched as the darkness in the alley thickened, twisting unnaturally. A pair of glowing red eyes flickered to life, followed by another, and then another. Shapes materialized from the shadows¡ªtall, lean figures with elongated limbs and razor-sharp fingers. Their bodies pulsed with an eerie, shifting blackness, as though they were made of living smoke.


    His throat tightened. ¡°Seraphina, what¡ª¡±


    ¡°Demons,¡± she muttered, her voice sharp. Her wings flared, feathers gleaming like molten silver under the dim streetlights. Ethan swore he saw her pulse with energy, the air around her vibrating with something unseen.


    One of the creatures stepped forward, its mouth splitting open to reveal rows of jagged teeth. ¡°Angel,¡± it hissed, its voice layered and inhuman. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here.¡±


    Seraphina didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Neither should you.¡±


    The demon let out a guttural growl and lunged.


    Ethan barely had time to react before Seraphina moved. In an instant, she was a blur¡ªtwisting, dodging, and striking with effortless precision. She slammed her palm against the demon¡¯s chest, and a burst of golden light erupted on impact. The creature shrieked as its body burned away, dissolving into nothingness.


    The others hesitated, but only for a moment. Then they attacked as one.


    Seraphina fought like a force of nature, her movements impossibly fast. Every strike of her hand sent a demon writhing into oblivion. Yet, even as she held her ground, Ethan could see it¡ªshe was outnumbered.


    He took a shaky step back, his mind racing. What am I supposed to do?


    As if sensing his panic, Seraphina shouted, ¡°Stay behind me and don¡¯t do anything stupid!¡±


    A demon broke past her defenses, its clawed hand swiping at Ethan. He barely had time to duck, the creature¡¯s talons slicing through the air inches from his face. Instinctively, he threw out his hands in a feeble attempt to shield himself¡ª


    ¡ªand then it happened.


    A surge of heat coursed through his veins, electrifying his senses. His body moved on its own, jerking away just before the demon struck again. He stumbled, his heart hammering. What was that?


    Seraphina¡¯s head snapped toward him, her golden eyes widening. ¡°You¡ª¡±


    But she didn¡¯t get to finish.


    Another demon lunged. Ethan had no time to think¡ªhis body reacted before his mind caught up. He twisted out of the way, a strange energy guiding his movement. The demon¡¯s claws missed him by a fraction of an inch, but instead of fear, a strange certainty settled in his chest.


    He wasn¡¯t helpless.


    Seraphina didn¡¯t waste the opportunity. She slammed her foot into the demon¡¯s back, sending it crashing into the wall. A burst of golden light followed, and the creature disintegrated into ash.


    The remaining demons hesitated, their crimson eyes flicking between Seraphina and Ethan. Then, with an ear-piercing screech, they melted back into the shadows, retreating as suddenly as they had appeared.


    Silence settled over the alley.


    Ethan exhaled shakily, his entire body trembling. He turned to Seraphina, who was staring at him¡ªnot with irritation this time, but with something else.


    Shock. Confusion. Recognition.


    ¡°What just happened?¡± he asked, voice hoarse.


    She didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she took a step closer, studying him with an intensity that made his skin prickle. ¡°That energy,¡± she murmured. ¡°That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen.¡±


    Ethan frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    She hesitated, her gaze locked onto his. Finally, she whispered, almost to herself, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have been able to move like that.¡±


    Ethan swallowed hard. He wasn¡¯t sure what that meant, but one thing was certain¡ª


    Whatever this bond between them was, it had just changed everything.