Light burst around Ethan and the girls as the divine arena rebuilt itself for the last time. Pillars of marble spiraled upward into a sky filled with auroras. The air hummed with sacred energy.
Venelith appeared above them, no longer teasing but radiant and solemn.
"You have conquered Desire and Fear. Now, prove you can stand together.The Trial of Unity will test your hearts as one."
A circle of golden runes formed beneath them, splitting into five glowing paths—one for Ethan, one for each heroine. The goddess's voice echoed again:
"If even one falters, all shall fall."
Ethan looked around. Ayaka gripped his sleeve; Luna nodded with quiet resolve; Hana cracked her knuckles; Subject M smiled faintly."Alright," Ethan said. "Let's show a goddess what teamwork looks like."
Phase 1 – The Rift Beast
The floor shattered, revealing a vast chasm of swirling void. From it rose a creature made of shadow and chains, dozens of eyes glowing crimson.
Hana drew her blade. "Great, a boss fight."Ethan's system chimed:
[New Objective – Defeat the Rift Beast without losing formation.]
The beast roared, sending out chains of darkness.Ayaka created a barrier; Luna redirected the blast with gravity magic; Hana counter-charged; Subject M linked their energies with a psychic field.
"Everyone focus on the rhythm!" Ethan shouted, guiding them with his system interface—combining their skills like puzzle pieces.
Each time the monster struck, one girl covered another's weakness.They moved imperfectly, yet perfectly together.
Venelith's voice rang:
"Interesting… Their resonance grows."
Finally Ethan leapt, channeling their combined aura into his palm. "Unity Break!"
He struck the core, and the beast exploded into shards of light.
[Phase 1 Complete – Bond Level Stabilized 95%]
Phase 2 – The Mirror of Division
The arena twisted into a hall of mirrors. Each reflection whispered venom.
"You'll never truly share him.""He loves one of you more.""You're all replacements."
Ayaka's hands trembled. Luna's eyes dimmed. Hana growled. Subject M stood silently.
Ethan stepped forward. "Hey. Look at me."
He turned to each of them, one by one.
"Ayaka, you keep us grounded. Luna, you light our path. Hana, you make us fight harder. M… you remind us what strength costs. I need all of you."
The reflections cracked.
Ayaka wiped her eyes. "Then we'll trust you."Luna smiled softly. "Together."Hana smirked. "Let's smash the rest!"Subject M chuckled. "Permission granted."
They struck the mirrors simultaneously—light erupted, and every illusion vanished.
[Phase 2 Complete – Hearts Synchronized 100%]
Phase 3 – Unity Ascension
Venelith descended, her aura swirling like galaxies.
"Impressive… But unity must be felt, not declared.One final step remains."
She raised her hand, and a divine storm engulfed them.Winds roared; fragments of previous trials spun around—desires, fears, memories.
Ethan reached for each girl's hand."Hold on. No matter what happens, don't let go."
Images flashed: Ayaka's warmth, Luna's stars, Hana's fire, M's shadow.The storm tried to tear them apart, but their grip only tightened.
Ayaka cried out, "I won't lose you again!"Luna shouted, "Our hearts beat as one!"Hana laughed through the chaos, "Bring it on, goddess!"Subject M whispered, "Together or nothing."
Their combined light burst outward, piercing the storm.Venelith shielded her eyes, laughing in disbelief.
"Ha… mortals who rival gods."
The light settled, revealing them floating in midair, hand-in-hand, surrounded by radiant wings of shared energy.
[Trial of Unity – Success][Bond Level MAX – Soul Link Unlocked]
Aftermath
When the light faded, the group collapsed in laughter and exhaustion.
Hana: "That… was insane."Ayaka: "But beautiful."Luna: "I could feel everyone's heartbeat."Subject M smirked. "Including Ethan's panic."
Ethan groaned. "Next time someone says 'team-building exercise,' I'm running."
Venelith floated down, smiling warmly for the first time.
"You've done what few ever have. You turned temptation, fear, and chaos into unity. You have my blessing."
A radiant sigil formed over Ethan's heart—Mark of Unity—and faint halos glowed over each girl.
Venelith added with a playful wink,
"And since you passed… perhaps a goddess owes you that promised kiss."
The girls froze.
Ayaka: "No way."Luna: "Over my starlit body."Hana: "You're not kissing our leader!"Subject M: "He can cash that later… privately."
Ethan face-palmed. "We just saved the world, can I rest first?!"
Venelith laughed, fading into stardust.
"Rest well, mortals. The true journey begins when you wake."
Return to Reality
They awoke back in the mortal world, on a quiet hill under twilight.The goddess's voice echoed faintly in the wind:
[Goddess Trial Arc Complete][System Update – Divine Path Unlocked][Next Quest – The Journey Beyond Realms]
Ethan looked at the sky, half-smiling. "So… next level?"
Ayaka: "Whatever it is, we're ready."Luna: "Together."Hana: "Always."Subject M: "And this time, I'm driving."
Ethan sighed, glancing at the system interface lighting up again.
"Yeah," he murmured, grinning. "Let's break the next world, too."