"When did you, never mind. Yes. We should definitely get business cards."
We're interrupted by a messenger construct, a bird made of starlight that speaks in harmonics.
"Lords of the Void Realm," it begins formally.
"We're not lords," Yorika points out.
It continues without pause. "Reports of severe boundary degradation in the Seventh Spiral. Dimensional parasites have consumed three sub-realms. The local powers request your intervention."
I look at Yorika. She's already shifting into combat mode, straightening, assessing, planning.
"How long until complete collapse?" she asks.
"At current rate, seventeen hours."
Her resolve crystallizes.
"Tell them we're coming," she says.
The construct dissolves.
"Want to go kill things that shouldn't exist?" I ask.
"With you? Always."
We gear up efficiently. My shadow armor forms, silver veins pulsing through it. Her tactical gear appears, enhanced with void-touched weapons we've collected. We move in sync, understanding each other's preparations without words.
"Ready?" I ask.
"To show dimensional parasites why our bond is poisonous to them? Absolutely."
We step through the portal together, hands linked, weapons ready. Behind us, our realm, our home, waits for our return. Ahead, reality itself needs defending.
EPILOGUE: YORIKA
SIX MONTHS LATER
Iwake to shadow tendrils stealing my coffee.
"That's mine," I mutter, not opening my eyes.
Nezavek's weight settles on the bed beside me. "There's fresh coffee in the kitchen."
"But this coffee is already here."
"It's cold."
"It's mine."
He laughs, and the tendril returns my mug. I crack one eye open to find him watching me with that expression he gets, like I'm something impossible he still can't quite believe exists.
"What?" I ask.
"Best fifty thousand credits I ever spent."
"You always say that."
"It's always true."
