In the hall of the Blood Abyss, only the low roar of flames remained.
The Gatekeeper stood behind his massive blood-colored blade, his gaze like a frigid abyss, staring down at Elya and Lucian.
"Though your Ashen Flame Oath has ignited, to pass through this gate, you must complete the—Bloodfire Sacrifice," his voice echoed through the hall like an incantation.
"Beneath the blood moon, burn your bodies and souls to the very end. Fail, and you shall become eternal slaves to the Blood Abyss."
Elya's heart thundered like a war drum. She felt the oathfire within her being suppressed by the Blood Abyss; if they did not ignite new power, they would truly be swallowed whole.
She lifted her eyes to Lucian, fear and resolve mingling in her gaze.
"We have no retreat."
Lucian bent to kiss the cold sweat from her forehead, his eyes blazing. "Then let us burn this abyss to ashes—together."
Their lips crashed together, and the oathfire erupted in an instant.
Cloth dissolved like ash; as their bodies pressed close, the flames of their brands intertwined.
The pressure of the Blood Abyss made every touch feel like tearing and agony, yet at the same time, pleasure was magnified infinitely, as if their entire souls were ablaze.
Elya gasped, her fingertips digging into Lucian's shoulders and back. She murmured softly, "Deeper… let the oathfire consume me entirely."
Lucian responded with a fiercer embrace, his breath scalding, his voice low. "We will make the Blood Abyss remember—oathfire is not to be defiled."
With their union, the ashen-flame phoenix spread its wings behind them, its plumage glinting with interwoven hues of blood and gray.
The blood-red murals in the hall seemed to come alive; countless whispers turned to shrieks, only to be devoured by the phoenix's flames.
The Gatekeeper watched, a flicker of shock crossing his eyes for the first time.
"To fuse desire and faith so thoroughly under the Blood Abyss's pressure… Your ashen flames might indeed sever the blood moon."
Elya was nearly exhausted, tears mixing with sweat, her voice hoarse yet steady. "We will not… be controlled by any god."
Lucian held her tight, pouring all his power into the oathfire with one final, violent union.
With a deafening crash, the hall's dome split open, and a colossal gate woven with ashen flames and bloodlight rose before them.
The Gatekeeper slowly lowered his blade, murmuring:
"Go. You have completed the Bloodfire Sacrifice. Beyond lies the true core of the blood moon."
The ashen-flame phoenix spread its wings and cried out, carrying Elya and Lucian through the gate.
Behind them, the hall of the Blood Abyss collapsed in flames, while their figures soared ever higher.