The Citadel Lockout
The secret plotting intensified. King Hayate and Neshuda were functioning as one in public, but their private efforts were entirely focused on mutual sacrifice. They both knew the Sealing Ritual would happen within the week, before the Cosmic Curse of Division completely overwhelmed the Core.
Hayate, determined to ensure his success, focused on physical control. Using his unique authority over the Global Kinetic Shield Array (GKSA)'s energy flows, he executed a strategic move. He subtly re-keyed the kinetic lock on the main Sealing Plinth in the Core Chamber. This meant that only a person generating his specific kinetic signature—his absolute Resolve—could physically activate the final transfer sequence.
He believed this rendered Neshuda's spiritual plans useless, as Neshuda's energy signature alone would not trigger the kinetic release required to accept the curse.
Meanwhile, Neshuda focused on spiritual and psychological preparation. He knew Hayate's move, though kinetically sound, could be overcome by a powerful spiritual shunt—if the person activating the shunt was utterly unburdened by fear or hesitation. Neshuda was ready to be that unburdened vessel.
But Neshuda also realized Hayate would be utterly destroyed by grief and guilt if Neshuda simply vanished into the Seal. He had to leave a final message of love and instruction.
The Clue for the Heir
Neshuda quietly summoned his most trusted aide, Anya, a young, intensely devoted technician who was deeply loyal to both Kings. He brought her to the Hall of Eternal Love, where the relics were kept.
"Anya, I have a final, crucial maintenance task for you," Neshuda said, his voice calm. He presented her with a complex, small data crystal. "This crystal contains the full operational parameters for the new Code of Dual-Being—the ethics and strategy for the new era."
He looked at her, his eyes serious. "If... if I am suddenly unavailable, you must deliver this crystal to King Hayate. He will understand its true purpose. But you must wait exactly one hour after the Citadel Seal is engaged."
The crystal did contain the ethical Code, but Neshuda had also embedded a final, intimate farewell message, accessible only by Hayate's kinetic signature. It was Neshuda's final, heartbreaking declaration of love and a command for Hayate to live.
Anya, recognizing the immense gravity of the moment, took the crystal and promised absolute obedience.
The Ultimate Deception
The tension of their secret war came to a head the night before the scheduled Sealing Ritual. Both Kings needed the total physical and spiritual certainty of the Vow, both to reinforce their individual Resolve and to subtly disarm the other.
Hayate initiated the ritual, his need to possess Neshuda one final time overwhelming.
"Tonight, we are only love, Neshuda," Hayate whispered, his hands sweeping away Neshuda's robes. "No sacrifice, no Code. Just the truth of our Submission."
Neshuda submitted instantly, but his surrender was also a powerful, strategic act. He focused all his inner energy on maintaining a calm, seamless spiritual flow, preventing Hayate from detecting the active shunt he was hiding.
Hayate drove the union with fierce, absolute dominance—a desperate attempt to spiritually exhaust Neshuda just enough to foil his own sacrificial plan. He poured his immense power into Neshuda, seeking the profound, shared physical ecstasy that always melted away fear.
The Cosmic Curse reacted with predictable violence. The icy pain surged, mingling brutally with the intensity of their physical union. Neshuda endured the pain silently, using the agony itself to fuel his determination.
Hayate continued the punishing pace, driving their bodies to a long, shattering climax. He wanted Neshuda's body to be too spent, too weak, to move when the time came.
But Neshuda's inner spirit was unbreakable. He used the intense focus of the Vow to reinforce his spiritual shunt, locking the last layer of Hayate's awareness with a final, intimate act of absolute devotion. As the energy peaked, Neshuda locked the hidden shunt, briefly rendering Hayate's consciousness slightly blurred and slow—just enough time for Neshuda's plan to work.
The Strategic Kiss
As the energy subsided, Hayate held Neshuda close, unaware of the subtle mental lock Neshuda had just executed.
Neshuda looked up at Hayate, his eyes full of sweet sorrow. He reached up and kissed Hayate—a long, profound, strategic kiss that contained all his love, his sacrifice, and his final Resolve.
"I will never regret this life with you, my King," Neshuda murmured. "Never forget our love is the only truth."
Hayate, touched by the depth of Neshuda's love and slightly dulled by the spiritual lock, simply held him tighter. "We will face tomorrow together, Neshuda. Always."
Neshuda knew he had won. The physical lock was ready, and the spiritual lock was complete. He had purchased his final, tragic moment of freedom.