The moment Kael and Lira stepped fully inside the archway, the ground lit up beneath them.
Silver and black lines spread around their feet like glowing roots.
Lira clung to Kael's arm.
"Kael… it feels strange."
Kael pulled her close. "Stay with me."
A soft hum filled the air—low and steady—like the world around them was waking up. The Sanctuary walls shined with mixed light, and their bodies felt lighter, as if the ground was pulling them forward.
Then everything stopped.
Silence.
Lira looked around nervously. "Did it fail?"
Before Kael could answer, the world shifted.
The light around them rose up like mist, wrapping around their bodies. It felt warm at first… then cold. Kael tried to move, but his legs wouldn't respond.
"Lira!" he called.
But she was already fading from his sight, pulled into a separate space of light.
"Kael!" Lira cried, reaching for him.
Their fingers touched for a brief second—
—then the Sanctuary pulled them apart.
Everything around Kael turned dark.
A faint shadowy glow circled him, showing only the ground under his feet.
He clenched his fists. "Lira, where are you?!"
No answer.
Instead, a quiet voice filled the darkness.
"Kael Umbrix… face your truth."
A figure appeared before him.
A small boy.
Thin, shaking, covered in bruises.
Kael froze.
It was him—as a child.
The boy he used to be inside the Shadow Forge.
The boy lifted his head slowly.
His eyes empty. His voice shaking.
"Why did you survive… when everyone else didn't?"
Kael stepped back, breath heavy. His heart pounded painfully.
"No… that wasn't my choice."
The boy pointed at him.
"You hurt people. You destroy things. You think you can protect her… but you can't even protect yourself."
Kael felt his chest tighten.
The shadows inside him grew heavier.
He tried to speak—
but the boy's voice grew louder.
"You will hurt Lira too. Just like everyone else."
Kael dropped to one knee, gripping his head.
"Stop…!"
But the boy continued.
"You don't deserve to live. You don't deserve her."
Kael shut his eyes, struggling to breathe.
Meanwhile—
Lira stood in a bright white space.
Her legs trembled.
"Where… where am I?"
A soft voice echoed around her.
"Lira… face your heart."
A shape appeared in front of her.
Her mother—weak, coughing, holding her chest.
Lira's eyes filled with tears instantly.
"M-Mother…?"
Her mother looked at her sadly.
"You left the village, Lira. You abandoned everything because of him."
Lira shook her head, crying.
"No… I didn't abandon anyone! I—I wanted to help Kael!"
Her mother stepped closer.
"And what did he give you in return?"
She touched Lira's chest lightly.
"Pain. Fear. Darkness."
Lira grabbed her mother's hands.
"That's not true! Kael saved me!"
Her mother's voice softened.
"Or did you save him? And lose yourself in the process?"
Lira's heart hurt.
She felt the shadow-light pulse again inside her chest.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"No… no… Kael needs me. I'm not afraid of him."
Her mother's face went cold.
"You should be."
Lira stumbled backward, shaking.
Both Kael and Lira were trapped in their own fears—
Kael facing his past.
Lira facing her doubts.
Their bond flickered weakly, almost breaking.
Then—
A faint whisper reached both of them at the same time.
A whisper from the bond itself.
"Find each other… or be lost forever."
Kael forced his eyes open.
Lira wiped her tears.
Both whispered the same word:
"I'm coming to you."
"The test had started."