At the base of a twisted tree that bled starlight, they found themselves surrounded by shadowy figures wearing broken masks. These were the Bone-Lantern Court—ancient spirits of those who abused the Veil's gifts.
The court passed judgment on every Soulkindled who entered the realm.
> "You carry the mark of Lianxu," one spirit hissed. "And yet your fire is untempered."
> "Why bring a mortal into your pilgrimage?" another whispered, circling Sandora.
Qingsai stepped forward, voice clear.
> "She is not 'mortal.' She is flameborn. She stands with me."
The court was unimpressed.
They unleashed a spectral Wyrm of Regret to test them—an enormous draconic beast with a body of flickering sorrow.
The battle was brutal. Qingsai's light element flared but flickered, unrefined. Sandora, embracing her Emberborn fire, protected him with a burning barrier while whispering to the Wyrm, reaching its memories. Her gentleness soothed it.
> "You... understand loss," the Wyrm said as it dissolved. "May your union temper the blaze."
As they reached a Veilgate exit, the horizon twisted into flames and fog. A final vision of Yulanis, the spirit goddess inside Qingsai, appeared before them.
> "Your bond deepens the flame. But deeper fires await."
They stepped through together—bound stronger than before.