Tavin stared down at the Temple of Reflection.
It sat in the heart of Solaria like a heart made of polished bone. Its outer ring was shaped like a rising sun, carved from layers of mirrored obsidian and pearl. The ritual would be held at dawn, two days from now, beneath the Great Oculum — a massive skylight that refracted the first sunray of the year directly onto the chosen offering.
Lysaria.
Unless they stopped it.
Maika laid out a rough diagram on the stone floor beneath the aqueduct hideout.
"There's a blind spot here," she said, pointing to a side entrance used for ceremonial prep. "It's covered by light mirrors but not warded. If you time it during the second bell, the sun will blind half the corridor."
Kaelara leaned over the map. "You want us to just walk in?"
"No," Maika said. "I want you to pretend to walk in."
Naih looked at Tavin. "My ghost flames can shroud us long enough to slip through. Tavin, you'll need to suppress the Gate's signature. It's pulsing now."
Tavin nodded. "I'll manage."
Kaelara didn't speak. Her arms were crossed, eyes on Niah.
Sister to Sister:
Later, as they prepared their gear, Kaelara finally snapped.
"What does it feel like?"
Niah blinked. "What?"
"When you resonated with him. What does it feel like?"
Niah stiffened. "I told you! Like falling into something deep and endless. But warm."
Kaelara scoffed. "Figures. Sounds just like you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You always throw yourself in. You never think about what it costs."
Niah stood, fists clenched. "And you always stand back and watch. Because you're afraid it might hurt."
Silence fell.
Tavin stepped in between them.
"I need both of you," he said gently. "This isn't a competition. This is survival."
Kaelara looked away.
But her fingers brushed Tavin's arm for just a second longer than needed as she passed.
Lysaria's Doubts:
Meanwhile, Lysaria sat alone in her chamber.
The light felt different now. Heavier. Like it questioned her.
She touched the crystal in her palm — her "divine focus" — and tried to summon an image. Instead, she saw him.
Tavin.
The black-cloaked stranger whose presence pulled shadows around him like wings.
And when he'd touched her…
The light had fractured.
Was that why she'd been chosen?
Was that why she'd always felt wrong in this place? What does it matter now, she has a higher purpose now. They need her.
Infiltration Begins:
That night, under the twin moons, the team moved.
Niah cloaked them in a faint shimmer of blue flame, like ghost-light in the wind. Maika opened the tunnel gate and whispered a prayer to no one.
Kaelara led, dagger at the ready.
Tavin followed, the Gate humming faintly beneath his tunic — excited. Hungry.
They slipped into the Temple's side entrance as the bell tolled once.
Above them, the light mirrors shifted slowly.
The Eye Watches:
In the Temple's sanctum, a Luxant scribe leaned into the reflecting pool.
"Unauthorized movement. Southern corridor."
"Gate signature?"
"Faint… but present."
The high priest's voice rang.
"Then let them come. Let them see what perfection does to interlopers."