Chapter - 7

“You must reach the Sanctum of the Bound Moon—deep beneath her kingdom. Only there can the mark be overwritten. Only there… can you sever her from your soul.”

“But it’s inside her kingdom,” Kaito whispered. “And I can’t even enter the gates unless I find the one who escaped her.”

The Hollow Flame nodded. “And time… is running short.”

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Cut to: Rose and Lyla – Connected Minds

At the edge of the forest near the ruins, Rose and Lyla sat beneath a withered tree, their bodies glowing faintly from the potions Kaito gave them earlier.

Suddenly—a connection sparked.

Rose gasped as her eyes flared blue. Lyla’s heart pounded. They could feel Kaito—his pain, his fury, his confusion. They heard glimpses of Morrivha’s voice, the echo of the trial.

“He’s remembering,” Lyla whispered.

“And he’s marked,” Rose said, tightening her grip around her dagger. “We need to be ready. If the Queen has that kind of hold on him…”

“…then she’s not going to let go easily,” Lyla finished.