The transformation was complete.
The Veil had become dawn. Luna's essence had crowned me goddess. And beside me, Astro stood as bridge between worlds, holding the connection that let every trapped soul find their way home.
Then his hand slipped from mine.
Not gently. Not slowly. Just sudden loss of grip as his legs gave out.
"Astro!"
I caught him before he hit the ground, but barely. His form, already existing between states, was flickering worse than before. The between-existence that had sustained him was failing.
"What's wrong? Luna's essence was supposed to stabilize you. Was supposed to make the bridge permanent."
"It did." His voice came weak, fading. "Made the bridge permanent. But bridges don't need consciousness. Don't need individual identity. Just need to exist."
Horror flooded through me as I understood.
"You're dissolving again. Becoming pure connection without the person attached."
"Yes. Luna's power saved the bridge but not me. There's a difference."
