The campus was silent, the night air cool.
Shane sat alone in the garden, replaying Rio's words from earlier.
"You are the Moon. You awaken us all."
Her palm still pulsed faintly—glowing with the mark of origin.
She didn't notice Rio until he sat beside her.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked softly.
Shane shook her head. "It's all so much."
"I know."
There was a moment of silence. Then Rio leaned back, gazing at the stars.
"I've known for a while," he said suddenly. "That you were the Moon. Even before your mark appeared."
Shane turned to him, surprised. "How?"
Rio smiled faintly. "Because my soul never forgot you."
Shane's breath caught.
"In our past life," Rio continued, voice quieter now, "I followed you into battle. Protected you from the darkness. But more than anything… I loved you."
Shane blinked, heart pounding. "You…?"
Rio looked at her, golden eyes glowing faintly. "That hasn't changed."
Just then, the wind shifted. A presence stirred nearby.
From the shadows, Haru stepped out—fox-like energy barely contained. But he didn't speak. His gaze flicked from Shane to Rio… then upward.
"We're not alone," he said.
From the treetops—a winged beast-like figure watched them, cloaked in mist and shadow.
Rio stood immediately, his aura flaring.
"They've found her," Haru muttered. "The enemy is moving faster than expected."
Shane stood too. "What do we do?"
Rio glanced at her—then reached out, placing a hand over her glowing mark.
"You need to awaken. Not just the power—but the bond."
Before she could speak, golden flames wrapped around them both, triggered by their connection.
Shane gasped—her memory flashing with glimpses of her past self standing beside Rio in ancient robes, the battlefield alight behind them.
"I remember…" she whispered.
The beast above snarled—and vanished into the mist.
Rio lowered his hand. "The Moon is stirring. The hunt has begun."
From behind, Haru's eyes lingered on the two of them.
Then turned away—walking back toward the dorms, where Kio's window light still glowed.
He had his own destiny to protect.
To be continued…