The Sanctuary felt different.
Not colder.
Not darker.
Just… watching.
As if every ancient stone had awakened to witness what Amelia was about to become.
She stood in the center of the Hall of Echoes, Kael behind her, his wings tense and half-spread in silent fear. The air hummed around her skin — light, shadow, memory, and power swirling inside her like a storm trying to take shape.
Amelia swallowed hard.
"I… I feel him," she whispered.
Kael closed his eyes.
Of course she did.
The moment her second past-life memory opened, Raeth had felt it like a scream through the realms.
"Stay focused on me," Kael murmured, stepping closer. "Your memories belong to you, not to him."
Amelia lifted her eyes, trembling."But… it feels like I'm walking toward someone I've always known."
Kael flinched.
Because that was the truth he'd hoped she would never remember.
Before he could speak, the Hall lights snapped—
BOOM—
A shockwave tore through the Sanctuary.
The ground trembled.Wards flickered.The very air cracked like splintering glass.
Kael snapped into a defensive stance, pulling Amelia behind him."Someone just breached the outer veil—"
But it wasn't someone.
It was her.
Seraphine Arrives
At the edge of the hall, shadows peeled away like curtains.
Lady Seraphine stepped through them.
Not hiding her face.
Not hiding her power.
Not hiding who she truly was anymore.
Her golden irises burned like molten suns.
Her voice was smooth. Dangerous. Beautiful."Hello, Serael."
Amelia stiffened.
Kael's wings snapped fully open, protective and furious."You are not welcome here."
Seraphine laughed."Oh, Kael. Loyal to the end. Even when you're guarding something that was never yours."
Her eyes found Amelia again.
And for a moment, her expression softened with something unsettling — longing mixed with bitterness.
"You look just like your mother did at your age," Seraphine murmured. "Full of light and promise. And look how she wasted it."
Amelia's pulse raced."My mother didn't waste anything."
Seraphine's smile sharpened."Did she tell you why she ran? Why she hid you here? Why she left the clan to rot while she chased a destiny that wasn't hers to take?"
Amelia shook her head."I don't believe you."
Seraphine tilted her head."You will. Because you are awakening, Serael. Piece by piece. And soon, you will see the truth I was banished for speaking."
Kael stepped forward, blade drawn."One more step and I end you."
Seraphine turned her gaze to him — amused."Still pretending you could ever kill one of your own? You don't have the strength for that."
Kael's jaw tightened.
Amelia felt his rage and fear spiraling under the surface.
Then Seraphine spoke the words that made Amelia's blood run cold:
"Do you know why your first memories of Raeth returned before any other? Because you were never meant to remember Kael first. The one your soul recognizes is the one you were created with."
Amelia froze.
Kael's breath shattered.
Seraphine stepped closer, power crackling under her skin."Light is born with shadow, Serael. You were born with Raeth. Not with him."
Kael's wings trembled."Stop—"
But Seraphine ignored him, whispering:
"You were never just a celestial.You were never just a girl.You are the dawn half of the Devourer — the only being who can unlock his full form."
Amelia staggered back, dizzy, breath sharp.
"That's a lie," Kael rasped. "She's trying to manipulate you."
But Seraphine's smile said she wasn't done.
"Ask yourself this, Serael…Why does Raeth remember every piece of you—…while Kael fears every piece you might remember?"
Silence fell.
Heavy.Crushing.Inevitable.
Amelia's heart slammed against her ribs.
Because she knew Kael was hiding something.
Something big.
Something dangerous.
Seraphine's voice lowered into a whisper of triumph.
"You are the girl with two names.Two souls.Two destinies.And only one of them is meant to survive."
She lifted her hand—
Light and shadow twisted around her palm.
The attack came faster than sound.
Kael lunged.
Amelia screamed.
And the Hall of Echoes erupted into war.
The world went white.
A blast of celestial force exploded through the Hall of Echoes, ripping ancient runes from the walls and shattering protective wards like paper.
Kael slammed into Amelia, shielding her with his wings as the shockwave tore across the room.
Stone cracked.Lanterns burst.The air itself screamed.
When the light finally died, Kael rose slowly, rage radiating from him like heat.
"Seraphine…" he growled, dust falling from his feathers, "you should have stayed buried."
Seraphine stood untouched.
Not a strand of hair out of place.
She lowered her glowing hand, voice dripping with satisfaction."Oh, Kael. Still pretending you can win."
Amelia pushed herself up, breath shaking."Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"
Seraphine turned toward her with predatory calm.
"What I deserve," she said simply."What was taken from me. What is mine."
Her eyes narrowed."You."
Kael stepped between them instantly.
"You will not touch her," he snarled.
Seraphine's expression softened almost pityingly."You poor creature. You honestly think she belongs to you?"
Amelia's stomach twisted.
"Stop talking like I'm… an object," she said, voice trembling but firm.
Seraphine's gaze sharpened."You are an inheritance, Serael. A vessel of celestial law. The dawn half of a sealed power your mother tried to erase. I am here to claim what our bloodline is owed."
Kael's voice thundered:
"You abandoned the bloodline the moment you turned to dark magic."
Seraphine hissed."I was forced into darkness. Banished for telling the truth—that Raeth and Serael should never have been separated. That their union was fate's design."
Amelia flinched.
Kael's heart cracked.
And Seraphine watched both reactions with a smile.
She took a step forward.
"What you feel now—those memories cracking open—that is not corruption. That is destiny awakening. Raeth is calling for you. And you are answering."
Amelia shook her head fiercely.
"No. I don't want him."
Seraphine's smile was cruel."Your soul does."
Kael's eyes burned with fury, wings flaring so wide they brushed the shattered pillars.
"That's enough."
He spread his fingers, and pure celestial fire gathered in his palm — a bright, searing flame only a highborn guardian could wield.
For the first time, Seraphine frowned.
"You would dare to use that on me?"
Kael stepped forward, voice low and cold enough to freeze the air.
"I would burn the heavens themselves if it meant keeping her from you."
Amelia's breath caught.
Her heart twisted painfully.
Seraphine's gaze flicked between them — calculating, amused, then suddenly venomous.
"You think love will save her?" she whispered."No, Kael. Love is what will kill her."
Before Kael could react, Seraphine raised both hands—
And the floor beneath Amelia split open.
A vortex of shadow yawned wide, tendrils snapping around her ankles.
Kael lunged, shouting her name—"AMELIA!"
—but the shadows yanked her downward with impossible force.
Seraphine whispered, almost tenderly:
"Let her go, Kael. Let her return to who she truly is."
The shadows swallowed Amelia whole.
Kael's fingers brushed the edge of the dark—
And missed.
Seraphine stepped back into the shadows herself, her voice echoing as she vanished:
"The next time you see her…she won't be yours."
Darkness slammed shut.
The Hall fell silent.
Kael dropped to his knees, wings limp, breath shattered.
And far below, deep beneath the Sanctuary, in the labyrinth where celestial seals were born…
Amelia opened her eyes in the dark—
and found herself staring into one silver eye.
Raeth's chains rattled.
"Finally," he whispered, smiling like a god reborn."My other half."