The mirror hounds came fast—claws screeching across obsidian ground, jaws wide and dripping liquid silver. Ethan barely had time to brace himself before one lunged. A flash of white teeth—then a burst of violet flame knocked the beast sideways.
Noel's palm still glowed.
He didn't hesitate. Another rune carved itself in the air with the flick of his fingers, pulsing bright before launching into the pack.
"Stay behind me!" he yelled, shielding Ethan as two more creatures leapt. One vanished in midair, dissolved by a light barrier. The other clipped Ethan's arm, and pain seared through him like ice.
But Ethan didn't fall.
He clenched his fist, turned, and swung the nearest shard of glass from the cracked ground like a blade. He didn't know where the strength came from—but something in him responded to Reverie now. As if it knew he belonged.
Behind them, Zevian watched.
Calm. Amused. Too calm.
"You think this is a war?" he murmured to himself. "This is a test. Let's see what the mirror truly reflects."
He raised one finger—and from the river, something massive began to rise. Not a beast this time, but a mirror gate. Ancient. Covered in chains. Screaming.
Noel froze.
"No…" he whispered. "That's not possible."
"What is it?" Ethan asked, panting.
"That's the Soul Gate," Noel said. "It leads to the center of Reverie. To the place where the curse began. Zevian can't control that—he doesn't have the right!"
"Who does?"
"I do."
Ethan's eyes widened.
"But if I use it," Noel said, "I won't come back."
For a moment, the battle paused. Even the creatures seemed to sense the air shift. The ground trembled beneath them.
"I'd rather lose myself than lose you again," Noel said quietly.
"Noel—"
"I love you, Ethan."
The words were quiet. Clear. Cracked with truth.
Ethan stepped forward, grabbed Noel's hand, and shook his head.
"Then don't you dare leave me."
The gate screamed louder, the chains unraveling like vines of lightning. Zevian's grin twisted. "Too late," he whispered.
But it wasn't.
Noel squeezed Ethan's hand. "Then we go together."
They turned—two boys now glowing with mirrorlight, eyes locked not on Zevian, but on the gate. They stepped forward.
And as the mirror exploded open in a shatter of time and memory, Reverie began to burn.
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