The Echo Gate hummed with silent anticipation. Since their encounter with Lysara, the room had grown warmer, as though life was slowly returning to it after centuries of slumber. The boys didn't cross it immediately — not out of fear, but out of reverence. The Gate wasn't just a passage. It was a decision. A commitment.
They set up camp in the chamber beside the Gate, Lysara's spirit watching from the carved pedestal where her sword rested. Her presence was comforting, if slightly eerie — a ghost of responsibility rather than sorrow.
Selene sat against one of the stone pillars, sketching runes into her notebook. Cain sat close, head tipped back, watching the glowing vines above them. Leo sat cross-legged beside a strange glowing cube, dissecting it piece by piece like a puzzle. Eren had passed out on a pile of folded cloaks, softly snoring, with crumbs of jerky on his shirt.
It was the calmest they had felt in weeks.
And yet, Cain couldn't sleep.
He stood and walked over to Lysara. "You said the real enemy is coming. Do we have time?"
Lysara's eyes glowed softly. "Enough time to prepare… not enough to waste."
Cain sighed. "We've already lost so much."
"Loss is the forge of purpose," she said. "Your sister understood that."
His heart ached. He looked toward where Selene had placed a small token — Eira's scarf — over the flame of a candle. It waved like it was still breathing.
Lysara's voice gentled. "You carry the burden of love and leadership. But you are not alone in this. Let your brothers carry you too."
Cain gave a small nod. "Thank you."
She faded again, her form blending into the wall like mist.
Morning arrived — or whatever counted as morning underground — with the scent of hot tea.
"Who the hell made tea?" Eren groaned, hair tousled.
"I did," Selene said calmly, pouring it into mugs from a tiny pot she had summoned using an old elven trick. "We're going into unknown territory. We need to be mentally hydrated."
Leo took his and sipped. "That's not how that works, but I'm grateful."
Cain smirked, leaning over to kiss Selene's cheek. "You're the reason I'm not losing my mind."
Eren groaned louder. "Ugh. PDA. I'm trying to mourn and digest at the same time, could you not?"
They all chuckled, the warmth settling into their bones.
But after the breakfast-tea-mockery session, things grew serious.
Lysara returned again, beckoning them to the sparring circle etched into the chamber's floor.
"You must learn to combine your powers. You are strong individually. Together, you are unstoppable."
Training began.
Leo activated his tech-magic blend, sending orbs of fire and energy around the arena. Cain dodged with enhanced speed, his demonic strength showing as he slammed his fists into magical barriers, testing endurance.
Eren, half-limping still, shocked them all by unleashing a whip of shadow energy from his palm.
"Since when can you do that?" Leo shouted, ducking.
Eren blinked. "I don't know. It felt cool."
Selene watched them from the edge, practicing healing spells. She flinched every time Cain took a hit, but never interfered.
Until the sparring got too intense.
Cain and Leo clashed powers too hard — the explosion of force cracked the wall behind them, sending stones tumbling.
"Hey!" Selene shouted. "Cain, you're bleeding!"
He wiped the trickle from his lip. "It's nothing."
But she stormed up anyway, grabbing his face with both hands, inspecting him. "You have a habit of pretending you're okay when you're not."
Cain whispered, "I can't fall apart, Selene."
"You're allowed to feel pain," she said, her eyes misty. "You're allowed to grieve."
He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "I just miss her so much."
"I know," she whispered, hugging him tight.
Behind them, Leo and Eren awkwardly paused.
"Are we supposed to… uh… join this moment?" Eren asked.
Leo snorted. "Let them be tragic lovers. We'll go mourn with sarcasm."
That night, they gathered around the Gate, for the first time ready.
Cain held Selene's hand, while Leo lit small flames around the base, ancient symbols flickering in gold. Eren placed a stone from their old home at the gate's threshold.
"To remember where we started," he murmured.
They stood together.
Lysara's voice echoed. "This is the path forward. Once you pass through, the next realm will change you. But I promise… your sister's sacrifice will not be in vain."
Cain looked at Selene, at Leo and Eren.
And then he said, "Let's finish what she started."
The Gate flared.
And one by one, they stepped through the light.
Together.