---
Ren's eyes snapped open.
The wind around the mountain suddenly shifted direction, howling like it had been disturbed by something unnatural. Standing at the cliff's edge, Ren's gaze turned sharply toward the horizon, where the air shimmered faintly like heatwaves—but colder. Darker.
"He did it…" he muttered. "He opened the rift."
Behind him, Himari stood quietly, the wind tugging at the hem of her robe. Her expression was unreadable, but her aura rippled, alert and uneasy.
"That wasn't just a rift," she said softly. "Something is stirring inside."
Ren's wings twitched. "He's not alone in there. I thought it would take him longer to reach her."
Himari's voice dropped. "It wasn't just Yuki's power that found her. It was his heart."
Ren looked over his shoulder, frowning. "Sentiment weakens the mind."
"Or strengthens it," she replied, stepping up beside him. "Either way, they'll be coming back changed."
As the wind shifted again, they both felt it—the rift was closing.
Too quickly.
Ren cursed under his breath. "No, it's collapsing."
---
Back in the void…
Aiko and Yuki were still locked in that desperate embrace when the world around them cracked again. The rift was shrinking—fast.
"We have to go!" Yuki shouted.
"But—" Aiko hesitated, glancing back at the lingering shadows. "Something's still here."
"I know," Yuki said, already focusing. "But we can't fight it here. I'll get us out."
He reached out, calling on the void one more time—but this time with purpose. Not rage, not confusion. Intention.
The void responded.
A pulse of violet light spread from his body, parting the shadows as a glowing path formed beneath their feet.
Yuki took Aiko's hand and sprinted forward.
Behind them, the whispering returned—angrier now, louder. The presence that had been watching began to move. It didn't want them to leave.
The rift was almost gone.
With a final leap of faith, Yuki pushed them both forward, diving through just as the world behind them roared in fury and closed with a deafening crack.
---
Back in the real world…
Lightning surged through the sky as the rift exploded into a burst of light near the cliffside.
Ren shielded his eyes, wings flaring.
When the light faded… they were there.
Yuki collapsed onto the rocky ground, breathing hard, his hand still gripping Aiko's. She was unconscious, but alive.
Ren approached, eyes narrowing.
"He did it," Himari whispered. "He brought her back."
Yuki looked up at them, void energy still flickering faintly around his skin.
"She's safe," he breathed. "I kept my promise."
And then… he passed out.
---