The mansion was alive.
Every wall, every shadow, every whisper pulsed with energy.
Rhea could feel it coursing through her, steady, powerful—her own heartbeat syncing with the mansion's.
But today, the mansion's presence felt… anxious.
Adrian stood beside her, eyes scanning every corner.
"She's coming," he said quietly.
"The mansion is warning us. Lilith knows you're mastering it… and she won't let it happen without a fight."
Rhea tightened her grip on his hand.
"I'm ready," she whispered.
Suddenly, the air thickened, frost crept along the walls, and shadows surged from the corners of the hallway.
Lilith appeared—tall, fully formed, her ghostly figure glowing with rage and power.
"You think you've won, little bride?" she hissed.
"You think you can control this place? Control me?"
Rhea stepped forward, her mark glowing brighter with every heartbeat.
"I don't think. I know."
Lilith screamed, a sound that rattled the floors, the ceilings, and even the walls.
The shadows twisted violently, wrapping around Rhea and Adrian like living chains.
Adrian moved to protect her, but Rhea pushed him gently back.
"I've got this," she said.
Drawing a deep breath, Rhea raised her hands.
The mansion responded instantly—the shadows recoiled, the walls pulsed, and golden light shot from her mark, forming a protective barrier around them.
Lilith hissed, twisting the shadows into spikes that slammed against the barrier.
"Impressive," she sneered.
"But the mansion is mine! And so are you!"
Rhea focused harder, pulling the mansion's energy into herself.
She could feel every memory of the previous brides, every lesson she had learned in Stage Two, every surge of fear Lilith had tried to force into her—they became her strength.
The golden light flared, expanding, pushing the shadows back.
Adrian joined her side, placing his hands over hers.
"Together," he said.
"Focus on the bond, not just the mansion."
Rhea nodded.
She felt their connection—heart to heart, soul to soul.
The golden light intensified, spinning around them like a vortex, forcing Lilith's form to flicker and waver.
Lilith screamed in rage.
"You dare fight me together?!"
"Yes," Rhea shouted.
"And we will win!"
The mansion itself seemed to answer, walls shaking, floors trembling, shadows recoiling from the combined energy of the two of them.
Rhea felt the mansion's memories surge through her again, guiding her—showing her Lilith's weaknesses, the places in her ghostly form where she was vulnerable, and the spots where fear and rage had left cracks.
Rhea struck, releasing a pulse of golden energy toward Lilith.
The ghost screamed, spinning wildly, losing form.
She tried to counter, but every attack was met with the mansion's energy responding to Rhea's will.
She was no longer a passive victim. She was its master… in collaboration with Adrian.
Lilith's shriek was deafening.
"You… cannot… control me!"
"Yes, I can!" Rhea cried.
"Because I am not alone!"
She reached out, and Adrian joined, their combined energy striking Lilith head-on.
The mansion shook violently, windows rattling, chandeliers swinging.
Lilith's form disintegrated into mist, wailing in fury, before she finally vanished, retreating into the far corners of the mansion.
Silence fell.
Rhea sank to her knees, exhausted, the mark on her wrist dimming but still pulsing.
Adrian pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"You did it," he whispered.
"You didn't just survive Stage Three… You fought with the mansion. You defeated her."
Rhea's chest heaved.
"I… I couldn't have done it without you," she admitted.
Adrian pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"You never were alone. And now, the mansion knows it too."
The walls hummed softly, as if acknowledging her mastery.
The shadows receded, leaving the mansion calm—for the first time since Rhea had arrived.
But somewhere in the far corners, Lilith's whisper lingered:
"This isn't over, little bride… the mansion will always hunger…"
Rhea closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath.
"We're ready," she whispered.
"And next time… we'll be stronger than ever."