Lira's fingers trembled slightly as she pinched the tiniest speck of stardust between her thumb and forefinger—no bigger than a grain of sand, yet brimming with energy that seemed to hum against her skin. She looked up at Renkai. His hand was steady, warm, and grounding.
"Ready?" she whispered.
He gave a faint nod, squeezing her hand gently. "Always."
Together, they leaned toward the swirling mirror portal. The runes etched along its edges pulsed and flickered, as if recognizing the stardust's presence. Lira let the tiny speck fall.
The instant it touched the surface, the portal flared with cosmic light. A soundless roar filled her mind, a vibration that resonated through bones, spirit, and heart. She felt herself being pulled forward, weightless, stretched, and compressed all at once.
Renkai's hand tightened around hers. "I'm here," he said, voice steady despite the sudden surge of force.
