With the Silent Minister gone, evaporated by a tidal wave of pure, happy life, the inside of Ryan's soul was finally quiet. The World-Tree mindscape was whole again, its golden light brighter than ever, its living song clear and strong.
But the work wasn't over yet.
Scarlett, still in her giant, glowing avatar of Life, stood in the center of the restored soul-forest. She felt a familiar, warm presence beside her. It was Ryan's consciousness, no longer fighting a parasite, now free to join her.
They didn't speak. They didn't need to. Their minds were so deeply connected now that they could think and act as one. It was a perfect, silent partnership, a dance of two souls moving in perfect harmony.
He was the power. She was the purpose.
Together, they turned their attention to the real problem: fixing the very big, very scary crack in the universe's most dangerous jail cell.
