The remaining chibi turned back to Qin Wei, expression suddenly serious—no grin, no mockery.
"You aren't stealing the sword," it said quietly. "The sword itself wants to leave its master. It wants to stay with you. You're not taking anything—it's offering. You would be saving it from a bond it no longer desires. Accept it, Qin Wei. Accept what's already yours."
The little devilish figure folded its arms and waited.
The golden light from the sword pulsed once—brighter, warmer, almost pleading.
Thea, still leaning against him for support, watched the blade with growing confusion and unease. She couldn't hear the voices. She couldn't see the chibi figures. All she saw was the Zodiac Sword behaving in a way it never had before—hovering, glowing, refusing her call.
She looked up at Qin Wei, searching his face.
"Qin Wei…?" Her voice was small, uncertain. "What's happening?"
He didn't answer immediately.
His gaze remained locked on the sword.
