The fracture did not remain small.
It spread.
A thin line of light cut between Vivian and Sebastian's joined hands. At first it looked harmless — like a crack in glass.
Then the crack widened.
Pain shot through both of them at the same time.
Not physical pain alone.
Separation.
Vivian gasped as something pulled at her awareness, like her mind was being dragged backward out of reality. The connection that had felt endless now trembled like a thread stretched too tight.
Sebastian tightened his grip.
"Don't let go."
"I won't," she whispered, but her voice shook.
The beam intensified.
Their shared light flickered violently.
For the first time since the Trial began… fear entered the system itself.
Warning signals erupted across the fractured chamber.
Symbols flashed red.
Structures destabilized.
Containment barriers failed.
Dorian's voice returned, no longer calm.
"Critical instability detected… structural collapse probability increasing…"
