The light did not fade.
It grew brighter.
Vivian could no longer feel the floor under her feet. The chamber had lost shape. Lost direction. Lost control.
Only the fracture remained.
A tear in reality.
A wound inside the Trial.
Through it… Sebastian stood.
Not a shadow.
Not a memory.
Not a copy.
Real.
He looked as tired as she felt. Blood marked the corner of his mouth. His shoulders trembled. But his eyes were steady. Alive. Locked only on her.
The pressure around them roared like a storm trapped in invisible walls.
But neither stepped back.
Vivian lifted her hand slowly.
The air pushed against her. Thick. Hot. Heavy like iron.
Her arm trembled. Pain burned through her shoulder.
Still… she reached.
Across the fracture, Sebastian raised his hand too.
His fingers shook. His breathing was uneven. His body was near its limit.
But he did not stop.
Between them, light gathered.
Not controlled light.
Wild light.
Living light.
