The ring of silver-black light tightened around Kael and Lira, pulling them closer together.
Lira held Kael's hand with both of hers now, as if letting go would make her fall.
"Kael… what is this final step?" she whispered.
Kael shook his head. "I don't know. Just don't let go."
The voice of the Sanctuary returned:
"To complete the second trial… you must share a single heartbeat."
Lira's eyes widened.
"A-a single heartbeat?"
Kael frowned. "How is that even possible?"
The Sanctuary answered:
"The bond is powerful, but unstable.
To survive its growth, you must learn to move as one."
Lira took a shaky breath.
"So… our hearts must match?"
"Yes," the voice replied.
"If they fall out of rhythm, the bond will tear."
Lira's fingers tightened around Kael's hand.
"I'm scared."
Kael stepped closer, resting his forehead against hers.
"You're not alone."
The silver-black light rose higher around them, pressing against their bodies like a soft weight.
Kael felt his heartbeat pounding fast—too fast.
Lira's heartbeat was weak and uneven.
The two rhythms were completely different.
"Kael… I can't slow mine down," Lira said, panic rising in her voice.
Kael put a hand over her chest.
"Breathe with me. Just follow my breathing."
He inhaled deeply.
Lira tried to match him—her breath shaking hard, but she tried again.
Slowly… slowly… their breaths aligned.
Kael felt Lira's heartbeat touching his.
Not physically—but through the bond.
He whispered:
"Good… keep going."
Lira closed her eyes, trusting him completely.
Her heartbeat started changing… falling into rhythm with his.
Then—
A sudden burst of pain hit Kael's chest.
"Kael!" Lira grabbed his shirt. "What's wrong?!"
Kael gritted his teeth.
"My heart… it's trying to match yours too fast…"
The bond pulled harder.
Their hearts beat faster… then slower… then faster again.
Both fell to their knees.
Silver-black light spun like a storm.
Lira cried out, "Kael—I'm slipping! I can't keep the rhythm!"
Kael pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Hold onto me. Just feel me. Forget everything else."
Lira buried her face in his chest.
"I'm trying… I really am…"
Kael wrapped both arms around her, steady and warm.
Their heartbeats clashed again—
—then slowly… slowly…
They started matching.
Du-dum.
Du-dum.
Du-dum.
One rhythm.
One heartbeat.
The storm of light suddenly calmed.
The pressure vanished.
Kael and Lira stayed on their knees, still holding onto each other.
The Sanctuary spoke again, softer this time:
"You have passed the second trial."
Lira looked up at Kael, tears in her eyes.
"We did it…"
Kael brushed her hair gently.
"You did it."
The ground under them glowed, forming a path deeper into the Sanctuary.
But before they could move, the voice added:
"Prepare yourselves."
"The third trial will not test your past…"
"…but your future."
Kael and Lira exchanged a worried look.
Whatever was coming next—
It would be harder than anything before.