Far from the ridge, deep within the withered heart of the forest, the Crimson Fang stood motionless.
His cloak shimmered like smoke. His mask—crafted from the shattered skull of an elder fox spirit—covered a face forgotten by time. But beneath that cold facade, his eyes burned.
He had seen the glyph awaken.
He had heard the echo of the ancient vow.
And worst of all—he had felt her soul return.
"So… the Flamebearer remembers," he whispered.
Behind him, two fox-spirits knelt.
"Master," said the first, her voice trembling, "shall we strike now? Before they enter the Spirit Plane?"
The Crimson Fang turned slightly, the shadows rippling around him. "No. Not yet."
"But the gate is open—"
He raised a clawed hand.
"If we strike too soon, the pact will only strengthen. Let them wander. Let them hope."
He stepped forward, standing beneath a gnarled tree whose roots writhed like serpents.
"Let Taemin believe he can protect her again."
A pause.
"And when her heart is most bound to him… we sever it."
A shriek pierced the air as a Shadow Bloom burst open at his feet. From it rose a spirit—twisted, screaming, faceless.
He placed his hand on its forehead, and it calmed.
"You see, Aran," he murmured, "you may have died once to save him…"
His voice turned to venom.
"…but I died forgotten. And that kind of death demands retribution."
He stepped into the darkness, his followers crawling after him like mist.
---
Meanwhile…
Back at Ashfall Ridge, Hana and Taemin stood before the glowing fox-eye portal.
"Once we enter," Taemin said, "we'll be seen by more than spirits. The Spirit Plane reflects truth—and truth is dangerous."
"Then we'll face it together," Hana replied.
He hesitated, then took her hand.
"Not just as protector and Flamebearer," he said quietly. "As Taemin and Hana."
She smiled. "Then let's step forward."
They crossed the threshold—
—and the world shifted.
Colors melted. Sky turned to canvas. Spirits, beasts, memories and emotion all coalesced into a realm not bound by logic, but by soul.
The Spirit Plane had accepted them.
But far beneath it, in a forgotten depth, something ancient stirred.
A chained figure opened one eye—gold and cracked.
> "The pact has been renewed," it whispered. "And so… must I awaken."
---