Kael pushed himself back onto his feet.
His breathing was rough, and his chest hurt from the words of his younger self.
The boy stood in front of him with empty eyes, waiting for Kael to break.
Kael wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"I'm not that kid anymore," he said quietly.
The child version of himself shook his head.
"You're still scared. You still think you're a monster."
Kael stepped forward.
"I don't care what you think. Lira needs me."
The boy tilted his head.
"You think you can save her? You can't even save yourself."
Kael's hands shook. Shadows rose around him.
Not wild — controlled.
"She believes in me," Kael said. "And I'm not letting her fight this alone."
The boy faded slowly, leaving Kael alone in the dark space.
A soft voice whispered:
"Go to her."
Kael turned toward a faint light ahead. He started running.
---
Lira sat in the bright space, crying quietly.
Her mother's fake image still stood in front of her.
"You will lose everything because of him," the illusion said.
Lira wiped her tears.
"No," she said. "I choose him. Even if it's dangerous. Even if I get hurt."
The illusion frowned.
"He brings darkness."
Lira stepped forward.
"Then I'll bring light. That's why the bond exists."
The illusion's face cracked like glass.
Lira gasped.
Her mother's fake image shattered and vanished entirely.
A warm voice filled the bright space.
"Go to him."
Lira looked up and saw a small path of silver light forming in front of her.
She stood up slowly, holding her chest as the bond pulsed weakly.
"I'm coming, Kael…" she whispered.
---
Kael reached the center of the dark space.
Lira reached the center of the bright space.
A thin silver-black thread appeared between them…
connecting both worlds together.
They took one step.
The thread pulled stronger.
They took another step.
The two spaces shook.
Kael shouted, "Lira!"
Lira cried out, "Kael!"
They ran toward each other—
Light and darkness crashed like a wave—
And suddenly—
They were pulled into the same space, face-to-face.
Breathing hard.
Eyes wide.
Hands shaking.
Kael grabbed her shoulders gently.
"Are you hurt?"
Lira shook her head and threw her arms around him.
"You found me…"
Kael hugged her back tightly.
"I always will."
Their bond pulsed strong — not painful, not unstable.
Warm.
Safe.
The Sanctuary's voice spoke again:
"You passed the first trial.
But the next one will be harder."
Kael and Lira held each other without letting go.
They were ready.
Together.