Chapter 97: Trial of the Twin Hearts

Days after the assassination attempt, the Royal Moonfang Court announced a sacred tradition not practiced in centuries: the Trial of the Twin Hearts—a ceremonial rite meant to test whether two souls were truly aligned, worthy of sacred Lunarian union.

Held deep beneath the Sanctum of Echoing Stars, the trial was observed by both families—King Fenryl and Queen Lysara of Lunaris, and Masaki Morinaka, Shisui's father, alongside high-ranking elders of the Morinaka clan.

Shisui and Irylia stood together on a glowing circle of lunar glyphs, hands clasped, surrounded by an ancient arcane formation. A glowing spirit emerged—the Ecliptic Arbiter, an astral judge forged by ancient Lunarian priestesses.

"This trial shall dive into your souls," the Arbiter intoned, its voice echoing in all minds. "You will be cast into an illusionary realm forged by your fears, regrets, and truths. Only those with unified hearts can return as one."

A blinding light surged—and the two vanished.

They awoke in an otherworldly landscape: a twisted realm where the skies cracked with sorrow, and shadows whispered lies.

In Shisui's trial, he relived his greatest pain—watching his clan fall to betrayal, his mother's death, and the years of isolation that followed. Alone, a blade to his throat, the illusion tempted him with a perfect world without burden, without love.

But then Irylia appeared, radiant in light, and shattered the illusion with her words:

"You are not alone anymore, Shisui. Let me be your peace."