Then—her mark lit.
And so did mine.
White-hot agony burst across my chest as our bond surged to its peak, deeper than anything the ancient texts couldever describe. My shadows exploded outward. The air warped around us. The world began to shake.
And I felt her soul.
Not fading.
Not fleeing.
Intertwining.
Shewoveherself into my chaos like silk threading through fire. Every inch of me—every violent, cursed part—opened to her.
And then Ibroke.
The power—my power—detonated in every direction. Shadows screamed from my skin, tearing apart the stone. The sky above the demon palace split open like a wound. Even the flames retreated.
I couldn’t control it.
“SEORI!” I roared into the heavens.
I didn’t care who saw me unravel.
Not Taeyang, not Jisoo, not even the Demon King.
He onlylaughed.
A deep, ancient laugh that chilled my bones.
“As it should be,” he said, stepping down from the broken altar. “This was always your fate, my son. Chaos was never meant to be tamed. She was always meant tobecome you.”
“Shut your damn mouth!” I snarled, rising, my body warping with shadow, teeth sharpening. “You don’t get to speak her name!”
But I couldn’t move.
Not yet.
The bond—her soul—was still wrapping around mine, infinite threads of light and flame searing into every nerve.
Then… A soft light.
I turned—trembling—and there she was.Her soul.
Seori.
Bathed in golden fire, her hair drifting like starlight, her eyes soft… and fierce.
She reached for me.
Her fingers brushed my jaw, and my shadowsstilled.
“I’m still here,” she whispered. “Don’t lose yourself, Rheon.”
I broke.
A single tear slipped down my face. Her thumb caught it.
