Zerrei stood in front of Lyra, holding her protectively against his chest.
His glow draped around her like a cloak—
not just light, but emotion made visible.
Fear.
Protectiveness.
Love.
All pulsing through the golden halo at his back.
Lyra felt it humming in her bones, vibrating like a heartbeat not her own.
"…Zerrei…" she whispered.
He didn't look at her.
He couldn't.
His eyes—glowing with halos—were locked on the creature that tried to take her.
"…don't touch Lyra…"
His voice shook with something new.
Something fierce.
Raw.
The glowing thread connecting him to Lyra pulsed violently—
brightening with every breath she took.
Oren whispered from behind:
"Unbelievable…
His resonance bond has fully awakened.
Lyra's safety is now directly tied to his power."
Arden didn't take his eyes off Vessel Four.
"Meaning?"
Oren swallowed.
"Meaning he's at his strongest…
because she was taken."
Lyra placed a hand on Zerrei's back.
He jolted—
startled—
then relaxed under her touch, glow stabilizing.
"…Lyra… real Lyra…"
He breathed the words like a prayer.
"Yes," she whispered. "I'm here."
The creature across the clearing twitched—
its limbs glitching unnaturally.
Seeing Lyra touch him—
Its red eye widened.
The seam in its face split wider.
A scream tore from inside it.
Silent.
But felt.
A psychic screech that sent birds fleeing from the canopy.
Arden covered his ears.
"Damn—! It's throwing a tantrum—!"
Oren yelled:
"It's reacting to Zerrei's bond with Lyra—!
It can't COPY that emotion—!!"
The monster lunged.
Zerrei moved before anyone could shout.
Not with fear.
Not instinct.
Not panic.
With purpose.
"…Lyra… stay behind Zerrei…"
Lyra nodded.
"I trust you."
His glow surged.
And he stepped forward—
Blocking Vessel Four's claws with his bare hand.
CLANG—!!!
A shockwave blasted through the forest.
Arden stumbled.
Oren shielded his face.
Trees bent under the pressure.
Zerrei didn't move.
He held the creature's claws in his hand—
and pushed them back.
The cracks on Vessel Four's arm widened—
And golden lines spread from Zerrei's touch like burning veins.
Oren gasped.
"He's OVERWRITING its magic—!!"
Lyra's heart pounded.
"Zerrei—!"
He looked back at her over his shoulder.
Just for one heartbeat.
"…Lyra…
Don't be, scared.
Zerrei… protect."
Her breath caught in her throat.
His voice wasn't trembling anymore.
It was steady.
Warm.
Strong.
The creature screamed again—
this time in Zerrei's stolen voice:
"LYRA—!!"
Zerrei's glow exploded.
"DON'T SAY HER NAME—!!"
He shoved the monster back—
so hard it cracked a tree trunk.
BOOOOOM—!!!
The forest shook.
Arden's jaw dropped.
"Holy—ZERREI—!! JUST—DAMN—!!"
The monster rose again—
body twitching, red glow bleeding from its cracks.
It lunged again—
But Zerrei didn't wait.
He met it halfway.
They clashed—
Light and shadow.
Emotion and void.
Each impact shook the earth.
Lyra watched, tears in her eyes—
because Zerrei wasn't just fighting.
He was changing.
He was growing into something powerful enough to terrify even her—
Yet gentle enough to tremble when she said his name.
"Zerrei—!" she cried out.
"Be careful—!"
His halo flared.
"…Lyra… calling me…"
He moved faster—
Dodging the creature's swipe.
Punching its chest—
Golden sparks bursting from the impact.
The monster staggered.
Its body fractured.
But then—
It copied something Zerrei wasn't prepared for.
It mimicked Lyra's voice.
"Zerrei… don't hurt me…"
He froze.
Just for a moment.
The monster lunged for his throat.
"ZERREI—!!" Lyra screamed.
Her voice cut through him like lightning.
He snapped back—
Shooted upward with a barrier exploding around him—
BOOOOOM—!!!
The force sent Vessel Four crashing across the clearing.
Zerrei panted hard.
"…not… Lyra…"
He clutched his chest, scared of how close he was to falling for it.
"…real Lyra, behind Zerrei…"
Lyra rushed to his side.
"Look at me."
He did.
His halo dimmed to a warm glow.
"That was NOT me," she whispered.
He nodded shakily.
"…know… because Lyra's voice… warm…"
"And that wasn't."
"…cold…"
Oren called out:
"It's weakening! Vessels can't maintain higher forms long—!!"
Arden added:
"Zerrei! Go for the core! BREAK IT!"
Zerrei stared at Lyra.
His eyes asked permission.
Lyra touched his cheek.
"Go."
His glow brightened.
"…Lyra… stay safe…"
"I will."
He stepped forward—
And the golden thread between them pulsed, guiding him.
The monster saw the movement—
And in desperation, formed Lyra's voice again:
"Zerrei—please—help me—"
Zerrei didn't flinch this time.
He whispered:
"…my Lyra… doesn't beg…"
His halo brightened—
Forming a blade-like projection behind him.
And he sprinted forward.
CRASH—!!
He slammed his arm through the creature's chest—
Golden resonance exploding through its hollow frame.
Oren shouted:
"He pierced the core—!!"
The monster spasmed—
its body glitching violently—
red cracks shattering.
Lyra held her breath.
Zerrei pulled his arm free—
And whispered:
"…don't touch… Lyra…"
The creature collapsed to its knees—
shaking.
It tried one last time—
To mimic his voice.
"…Ly…ra…"
Zerrei stepped back.
And shook his head.
"…you never knew her."
The creature split open—
Light bursting through the seams—
Until it shattered into dust.
The forest went silent.
Zerrei stood there—
panting—
halo fading—
glow dimming.
Then he turned—
And ran to Lyra.
She met him halfway.
He nearly collapsed into her arms.
"…Lyra… Lyra… Lyra…"
He whispered her name over and over, trembling.
"It's okay," she said, hugging him tightly.
"It's over."
"…Zerrei… scared… scared you… gone…"
"I'm not gone."
He pressed his forehead to hers.
"…mine…"
She brushed his cheek.
"And you're mine."
He trembled—
then wrapped both arms around her like he would never let go again.
Arden sheathed his sword with a long exhale.
"Damn…"
Oren adjusted his glasses, awe in his voice.
"That…
was an evolution."
Lyra held Zerrei close.
"We're okay now."
Zerrei's glow flickered softly.
"…Lyra…
don't leave Zerrei…"
She smiled gently.
"I won't."
And he melted into her arms.