Back at the keep, Qingsai placed the spirit fragment near the broken mask in the shrine. The two pieces reacted—merging briefly before releasing a new wave of memory:
> A vision of Aurexia, battling an army of corrupted spirit mages—those who tried to force all six elements into one vessel, collapsing the boundary between the elements and the Veil.
She warned him, even across time:
> "Each element mastered unlocks the gate. But the gate does not lead home—it leads inward, where the worst truths are buried."
Qingsai awakened with a gasp. Meiyan was at his side.
> "Are you alright?" she asked, frowning. "You've barely spoken since the creature."
"I saw one of them," Qingsai replied. "One of me. Before me."
"And?"
"She died… because she trusted too easily."
Meiyan leaned closer. "So don't trust. Choose. That's what makes you different."
Qingsai nodded, looking out over the forest from the tower balcony.
> "I will awaken all six elements. But I won't become their prisoner."
> "I'll become… their master."
And far away, in a place where time curled and broke, another Soulkindled stirred from slumber.