The darkness around Kaito deepened, no longer just a place but a presence—pressing against his skin, his mind, his very soul.
He sat with his knees pulled to his chest, staring at the fading mirages of the people he'd failed. The system had remained silent for hours. Or maybe days. Time had lost meaning.
And then it spoke.
> "You have ten minutes left."
Kaito didn't flinch.
The voice was cold. But what was colder was the void inside him now.
He'd seen Aya die ten different ways in these hallucinations.
He'd watched his parents stare at him in disappointment.
He'd listened as a copy of himself listed every failure, every lie, every weakness.
And yet—he was still here.
Still breathing.
Still… holding on.
But barely.
One more vision appeared before him. This time, no violence. No shadows.
Just Aya. Smiling. Sitting beside him. Looking at the stars.
It was the night they first fought together. Her hair was tied, her eyes softer than he remembered.
"You're not alone, idiot," the vision whispered.
Kaito stared at it.
He knew it wasn't real.
But it was what he needed.
So he whispered back.
"I know."
And he stood.
---
Aya's Trial – Fractures
Aya stood in the middle of a thousand mirrors, each reflecting a different her.
The warrior. The empress. The child.
The failure.
Each version spoke, overlapping voices building into a crescendo.
"You were born perfect. But you're just hiding behind strength."
"You think he needs your protection. But you're the one who needs him."
"You're afraid of losing control. So you never let yourself fall."
Aya covered her ears.
"SHUT UP."
The mirrors shattered in unison.
Fragments danced around her like snow.
And standing in the center of the storm—
Was Kaito.
Not a copy.
Not an illusion.
Just his reflection.
Staring at her with quiet defiance.
"You're not broken," the reflection said. "You just never had someone to catch you."
Aya took a step forward. The shards parted.
And with a breath, she walked through her own reflection.
Into light.
---
System Log – Synchronization Detected
> Duo #001/#017
Psychological Trial: Complete
Time Elapsed: 71 hours, 57 minutes
Result:
Subject #017 – Passed
Subject #001 – Passed
Core Desynchronization: Repaired 47%
Mutual Core Overlap: 18%
Suppressed Trait Activated: [??]
Emotion Locked: [??]
> Awarding Hidden Bonus: ??? (Undisclosed)
Preparing for Reintegration Phase...
---
Outside – Waiting Chamber
The moment their trials ended, two capsules materialized in the vast white chamber.
Dev Rajan stood with his arms crossed, tense. Meera Sharma watched quietly, her brows furrowed.
The capsules hissed open.
Aya fell forward, coughing. Pale. Eyes bloodshot.
Kaito stumbled out of his—shirt torn, expression blank.
Meera rushed forward. "Are you alright?"
Aya blinked.
She wasn't sure.
Kaito said nothing.
But as the others helped them up, Aya glanced at him.
His eyes met hers.
And for the first time—
They didn't look away.
---
Later – That Night
The group was given temporary quarters within the gate's rest zone. A surreal field under fake stars, surrounded by ancient pagoda walls.
Aya sat outside their shared tent, knees drawn to her chest.
Kaito walked over, dropped beside her without a word.
Silence.
Then, she asked, voice quiet, "Did you see it too?"
He nodded.
"Everything?"
"More than I wanted to."
She exhaled.
"I think… I hated that version of me."
"I hated mine too."
Another pause.
Then she said, "But I didn't hate seeing you."
Kaito turned.
Their eyes locked again.
No teasing. No sarcasm. Just something raw. Human. Unmasked.
"I'm not strong alone," she whispered. "I thought I was. But… I'm not."
"You don't have to be."
A silence bloomed between them.
Then he added, voice low, "Let's survive this, Aya. Together."
She nodded slowly.
And for the first time in days, they both closed their eyes—not out of exhaustion, but peace.
Even if it was only temporary.
---
End of Chapter 36