The underground temple trembled as if the very veins of Virelia

  bled through its cracked marble. Between fractured pillars and

  serpent-carved walls, the Heart of Seraphis hovered — a crystal

  sphere pulsing with molten veins of silver and crimson.

  Elaris stepped forward, her mechanical wings folding tight against

  her back. The glow of her circuits responded instinctively, syncing

  to the artifact’s rhythm. For a fleeting second, she looked less like a

  runaway, more like a goddess sculpted from steel and starlight.

  But then it struck.

  The Heart released a violent surge — silver lightning tearing

  through the chamber. The murals along the wall lit up, revealing

  fragmented prophecies: “The one of fractured blood shall bear both

  ruin and rebirth.”

  Elaris staggered, clutching her chest as circuits along her arms lit

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  ablaze. Her breath came ragged.

  “Not… again,” she whispered. Her body was rejecting the overload,

  wires burning hot, veins glowing emerald.

  Kael cursed under his breath. The mafia prince was supposed to

  take the artifact for his syndicate, not play guardian. Yet when he

  saw her fall to one knee, body writhing against the power, instinct

  tore through his coldness.

  “Stay with me!” Kael roared, wrapping an arm around her waist just

  as another shockwave shattered the floor. His storm aura clashed

  against the artifact’s wild energy, forming a fragile shield.

  38

  Elaris gasped, looking up at him through flickering lashes. “Why…

  why would you—”

  “Because if you die here,” Kael hissed, tightening his grip, “this city

  won’t stand a chance.”

  The Heart pulsed faster, shards of crystal levitating around them,

  orbiting like blades. One sliced across Kael’s cheek, drawing blood

  — yet he didn’t let go. Instead, his free hand pressed against her

  back, steadying her trembling form.

  And then — the artifact spoke.

  Not in words, but in fragments of memory and prophecy flooding

  their minds.

  A ruined sky.

  A serpent split in two.

  Elaris’s own reflection shattering into shadow and light.

  The Heart of Seraphis recognized her. It was not granting her

  power. It was choosing her, binding her, stitching her very

  existence to its fate.

  Elaris screamed as the energy sank deeper, searing into her

  circuits. Kael held her tighter, every muscle burning as he absorbed

  some of the backlash. For a fleeting moment, their auras merged

  — storm and circuitry intertwining, two fates colliding.

  When the light finally dimmed, the Heart fell silent, nestling into

  Elaris’s trembling palm. She collapsed against Kael, breath shallow

  but alive.The chamber was a ruin of fire and ash. And somewhere,

  far beyond the temple, Xyren opened his eyes. His twin’s agony

  had reached him. His lips curled into a dangerous smile.

  “The game begins.”