CRRRRACK—!!
The rune boundary exploded in a burst of sparks.
The protective circle that shielded them—
the cradle that calmed Zerrei—
shattered like brittle glass.
The forest sucked in a breath.
Zerrei screamed.
"LYRA—!!"
She pulled him into her arms immediately.
His glow fluctuated wildly—
bright, dim, flicker, surge—
his heart racing so hard she felt its vibrations against her chest.
"…no no no no…
it's here… it's here…
Lyra—Lyra—!!"
"I'm here! Stay with me!"
But Vessel Five stepped into the clearing.
Slowly.
As if savoring their fear.
A towering silhouette—
faceless except for a single red seam
glowing like molten metal
across where eyes should be.
Its voice rumbled—
A vibration through the ground.
"Vessel Two."
Zerrei curled into Lyra's lap, shaking violently.
His halo flickered like a dying light.
"…can't… can't…
too strong…
too big…"
She held his face between her hands.
"Look at me.
Not it—ME."
He whimpered.
"…Lyra… please… don't… let them take me…"
"I won't," she breathed, fierce.
"I promise."
The creature's head tilted.
It spoke again—
the Creator's voice pushing through it.
"Fear destabilizes you."
Zerrei cried out, covering his ears.
"NO—NO—STOP—DON'T—!!"
Lyra pulled his hands gently away.
"No, Zerrei, listen—
Your fear doesn't weaken you."
He blinked, panicked.
"…doesn't…?"
"No."
She leaned their foreheads together.
"You fought Vessel Four BECAUSE you were scared."
His breath hitched.
"…Lyra…"
"You protected me BECAUSE your heart felt something."
He shook violently.
"…but… the voice… says… fear is mistake…"
"Then the voice is wrong."
He stared at her—
Eyes trembling—
Halo flickering.
"…Lyra… says… Zerrei… right…?"
"Yes."
The monster stepped forward.
Oren drew a sharp breath.
"It's crossing the cradle—!!"
Arden stepped between it and the others, sword drawn.
"HEY! You want someone? COME GET ME!"
The creature paused.
Turned its head slowly.
Then ignored him completely.
Arden sputtered.
"…are you serious—?! I'm the threat here!"
Oren clenched his jaw.
"No.
To Vessel Five, Zerrei is the threat."
Zerrei clung to Lyra.
"…me…? Zerrei…? Threat…?"
Lyra kissed his temple gently.
"You're more than a vessel.
That scares him."
Zerrei's glow trembled, confused.
"…Lyra… trust… Zerrei…?"
"I trust you more than anything."
His light warmed—
Just a little.
But the moment was ripped away as Vessel Five stepped forward again.
The ground cracked beneath its weight.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Arden called out:
"Lyra—MOVE!"
Oren yelled:
"We need distance! Zerrei won't stabilize with it near—!"
Zerrei panicked.
"…no—no—don't—leave—Lyra—!!"
She pulled him upright.
"I'm not leaving.
We're moving together."
He swallowed hard.
"…together…"
"Yes."
She held his hand tight.
He held hers in both of his trembling ones.
Oren began chanting.
A quick teleport spell—small, unstable, but enough to buy space.
Arden kept his sword ready.
Lyra kept her arm around Zerrei.
But Vessel Five didn't rush.
Didn't roar.
Didn't threaten.
It simply spoke.
"You are incomplete."
Zerrei flinched.
"…no… no—Zerrei… complete—has Lyra—!!"
The monster ignored it.
"Return.
You cannot evolve further."
Zerrei started shaking too hard to stand.
Lyra pulled him against her chest again.
"You don't have to evolve," she whispered.
"You just have to stay with me."
"…Lyra…"
His breathing steadied.
But Vessel Five's presence grew heavier.
The ground under their feet vibrated.
Arden snarled:
"Oren—NOW—!!"
Oren slammed his staff down.
A blinding flash erupted—
White light enveloped the clearing.
Lyra squeezed Zerrei tightly.
"Hold on!"
Zerrei whispered—
"…Lyra… mine…"
Before the light swallowed them completely.
THE ESCAPE
The world snapped—
Then reformed.
Leaves, wind, distant river—
They landed in a cluster of thick trees several hundred meters away.
Arden collapsed backward, panting.
"THAT—
was hell—"
Oren scanned the surroundings quickly.
"We bought time.
Not much.
But enough."
Lyra knelt with Zerrei in her lap.
He looked dazed.
Tired.
Frightened.
His glow dim.
"…Lyra… where…?"
"We're safe. For a little while."
He looked up at her,
eyes trembling.
"…Lyra… scared…?"
She smoothed his hair back.
"No.
Because you're here."
He pressed his forehead to her collarbone.
"…Zerrei… feels Lyra… always…"
His glow warmed slightly—
The golden thread forming faintly between them once more.
Oren exhaled in relief.
"Good.
The bond is stabilizing."
Arden lifted his sword again.
"Good. Because that THING will be here any minute."
Lyra held Zerrei's hand.
Zerrei held on tighter.
"…Lyra… don't leave…
even if… monster come…"
"Never."
He glanced toward the darkness—
Fear and determination mixing in his glow.
"…then… Zerrei… fight."
Lyra kissed his cheek.
"You won't fight alone."
He leaned into her touch—
Halo flickering back to life.
"…together…"
A distant sound echoed through the forest.
A slow, steady heartbeat.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Arden's expression hardened.
"He's coming."
Lyra stood.
Zerrei stood with her—
Hand in hers.
Glow trembling.
But braver than ever.
"…Lyra…
Zerrei… ready…"
And the forest shook.