The forest shifted the moment the Second Key accepted Ren and Mira.Wind ripped through the trees. Leaves turned black and silver. Even the ground seemed to pulse like a living heart.
Ilvara stood with her blade half-drawn."They're coming."
Karyon's staff hummed. "Brace yourselves."
Ren Xiang tightened his grip on Mira's hand. Her pulse was quick, nervous—but steady.
Then the mist parted.
And the Hunter stepped out.
Tall. Twisted. Wearing Ren Xiang's face like a broken mask.Behind it, dozens of smaller Abyssal beasts crawled forward on too many limbs.
The Hunter tilted its head, voice layered with Ren's own:
"Two hearts. One truth.I will devour both."
Mira didn't flinch."You can try."
The forest exploded into motion.
The Pack Attacks
The beasts came first—sprinting on bone-like limbs, masks flickering with mirror-light.
Ilvara moved like a silver flash, cutting down the front line.
Karyon slammed his staff into the ground, sending out a ripple that crushed several beasts instantly.
Ren and Mira slid into position—back to back.
"Left," Ren whispered.
Mira attacked right.
Their timing was perfect.
A beast lunged for Mira's throat—Celestial Pulse burst from her palm and shattered it mid-air.
Another creature clawed at Ren—He caught it with a strike of Void resonance.The beast broke like glass.
Ilvara shouted, "Don't get separated! They'll swarm you!"
Karyon added, "The Hunter is watching—waiting for one mistake!"
Ren gritted his teeth."Then let's give it nothing."
The Hunter vanished.
Ren's instincts screamed—he turned—
CLANG!
He blocked a claw aimed directly at his heart.
The Hunter smiled with Ren's own mouth."Still not enough."
It pushed harder.
Mira appeared beside Ren, slamming her palm into the Hunter's ribs.A burst of starlight threw it back.
For the first time, the Hunter staggered.
Mira's voice shook, but her stance didn't."Touch him again, and I'll break every mirror in this forest."
The Hunter's smile faded.
Fighting as One
Three more beasts burst from the mist, racing toward Mira.
Ren didn't even think—he grabbed her wrist."Follow my timing."
Warm breath. Cold breath.Dual Breath aligned.
They moved together.
Ren struck with Void resonance—Mira followed with Celestial light—The two energies intertwined and detonated outward.
The three beasts disintegrated instantly.
Ilvara landed beside them with a fierce grin."You two fight like a bonded pair."
Mira coughed out a breathless laugh. "Feels like we've done this before."
Ren wanted to smile—But the Hunter was coming again.
Ren vs. The Hunter
It came straight for Ren this time.
Faster. More desperate.
Karyon shouted, "Don't let it near your chest!"
Ren stepped forward, palms glowing.
The Hunter's claws sliced through the air—
Mira shoved Ren aside at the last moment.
The blow grazed her arm.
Ren's heartbeat froze."MIRA!"
She hissed through the pain but stayed standing."Relax. That wasn't even close."
The Hunter crouched, eyes flickering with dark hunger.
"You're protecting each other…Good.Easier to consume together."
Ren stepped in front of Mira."You won't get either of us."
The Hunter lunged—
But Mira was faster.
She grabbed Ren's arm."Use my pulse as a guide."
Her eyes locked onto his.
Something clicked.
Their breaths aligned—Not two techniques—One rhythm.
Ren whispered, "Triad… Resonance…"
Mira whispered back, "Let's try it."
They pressed their palms forward together.
A sphere of light erupted—silver and white swirling together like starfire in a mirror.
The Hunter tried to escape.
Too slow.
The blast hit its chest—Its mask shattered—Its limbs disintegrated—Its stolen face broke apart—
And the Hunter dissolved into ash.
Silence fell.
The remaining beasts collapsed, lifeless.
Mira swayed. Ren caught her instantly.
"You okay?" he whispered.
She smiled tiredly."As long as you're here."
Ilvara sheathed her blade."That was impressive."
Karyon nodded, still breathless."The forest will think twice before sending another Hunter."
Ren squeezed Mira's hand.She squeezed back.
He felt warmth—real, human warmth—drift through his chest.
For a moment, the Hollow Mirror Forest felt almost still.
Almost.
Then the ground shifted.
The trees curved inward.
A low, ancient voice rose beneath their feet:
"Two hearts. One truth.The Third Key… awaits."
Ilvara's expression turned grim."The next trial begins."
Karyon pointed at the path rearranging itself ahead."This is where the Sage's ritual grows dangerous."
Mira turned to Ren, her voice quiet but firm.
"We face it together. Every trial. Every key."
Ren Xiang nodded.
"Together."
And hand in hand, they followed the newly opened path deeper into the forest—toward the mirror that would test not their strength…
…but their hearts.