Free The Sword that Binds (Book of Worlds 1) by David Taran

to Sarena, causing her to feel a sense of terror that made her completely forget the violation she had felt just moments before. Her mind blanked as the power of the creature poured over her, holding her up as all the strength in her body left her. After a few moments that felt like an eternity, it withdrew its head and relaxed before speaking again.
    “How interesting. A human with no power of her own has become so reliant on magic that she can’t even survive without it anymore. And an enchanted sword that holds within it a spirit so powerful that the enchantment binding it is breaking down. I’m very tempted to see how this plays out," The voice in her mind chuckled for a moment before continuing. “Ah, where are my manners. My name is Ankaros. I suppose you could call me the king of this little forest. I would ask what brings you two to my part of the world, but I’ve already spoiled that for myself.”
    “What - what do you mean I can’t survive?” Sarena finally spoke after working up the courage to. Her mind was reeling from everything that had happened still, but she couldn’t ignore what it had just said.
    “Oh, I think you already know little Sarena. You are just too addicted to the power that you don’t want to admit it. And Tyrus, I know you’ve suspected the truth for some time now. You are in fact a human, and your ascension to the spiritual world was quite spectacular. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a human with so much power bottled up within them. It’s only a matter of time before you break free of your enchantment, and after that your core will travel through that bond of yours to the safest place it can - into Sarena. I doubt she could survive that since your core is simply too strong for her. I wouldn’t give you more than a few days before those bindings shatter," Ankaros explained smugly. “Well done Tyrus. You’ve managed to ensure that you have a body to inhabit once you finally break free." Laughter filled her mind as she sat on the ground.
    Sarena was dumbfounded. The rush of power she felt from Tyrus every time was addicting, to the point where she couldn’t imagine living without it anymore. But she hadn’t realized that she was relying on it just to stay alive now. And eventually Tyrus was going to break free from the sword and kill her? She wasn’t sure she could believe that part.
    “Is what he is saying true, Tyrus?” She asked quietly.
    For a moment Sarena thought he wouldn’t answer. “I think he’s right for most of it. The feeling of constriction on me has been disappearing ever since I woke up. I wasn’t sure what it meant until now...but I knew something was going to happen in a few days. And I’ve been getting flashbacks of what I think was my life before this sword. So yes, he’s most likely telling the truth except -.”
    Tyrus’ words faded away as despair washed Sarena. She couldn’t survive without Tyrus anymore, but if she didn’t get rid of him then she was doomed regardless. She looked at the sword in her hand suspiciously. Did he plan this from the beginning? I never asked him for any of this, but it seems like it worked out perfectly for him.
    “Sarena I - I never thought this would happen. I was just so happy to finally be free from that black void, I didn’t want you to die and leave me to go back to it. But this isn’t what I wanted to happen," Tyrus said.
    “Yes, yes, while I would love to watch the two of you have a falling out, I do have more important things to discuss," Ankaros interrupted. “Unfortunately I will need you two to work together, so it pains me to say, Sarena, that Tyrus has always had your best interests at heart," He paused a moment, letting Sarena process what he had just said. “As for your little problem, I may be able to help. I need a favor from you two, and in exchange I would be willing to slow down the enchantments degradation, giving you a month instead of three days. When you finish with what I have asked,