The abyss of the dream tide roared, and the gray flame heart pulsed as if about to explode, causing the very foundations of the entire royal capital to tremble.
The vow flames of Ilea and Lucian intertwined, and the Phoenix fire soared into the sky, forcing the phantoms back.
Yet the gray shadow did not dissipate; instead, she solidified in the firelight, her eyes glowing darker than the abyss itself.
"Excellent..." The gray shadow brushed a hand over her chest, her smile enchanting. "Then let me see if you can outmatch me in a true heart oath."
As the words fell, the surroundings suddenly collapsed, and Ilea and Lucian were swallowed by gray flames.
Their bodies felt a sudden lightness, and in the next moment, they had plummeted into an illusion.
It was an endless plain of ashes.
The sky burned with blood-red fire, while beneath their feet lay an ocean of gray.
Ilea glanced around, only to find Lucian was not at her side.
"Lucian!"
Her voice echoed through the empty illusion, but there was no reply.
"He is not here." The gray shadow's voice sounded from behind.
Ilea spun around abruptly. The gray shadow approached slowly in her own likeness, clad in the same armor—yet it clung more tightly, almost tracing every curve of her body.
Derision and pity mingled in her gaze.
"This is your heart oath space. Only you and I exist here."
Ilea raised her flame sword, her voice sharp: "I won't let you take me!"
The gray shadow chuckled, suddenly stripping off her armor to reveal snow-white skin, her movements both unhurried and provocative.
"Are you certain? You've craved me in the dark. Craved to break free, to burn without restraint."
She stepped closer, and with each step, the air grew as scorching as flame.
"Admit it, Ilea. What you fear is not the real me—but yourself."
The oath mark on Ilea's chest seared with pain, and her grip on the sword nearly faltered.
The gray shadow suddenly drew near, her cold fingertips brushing Ilea's lips, murmuring: "If you truly wish to become a phoenix, let me guide you to burn away everything."
In an instant, the flames in the illusion transformed into countless ropes, coiling around Ilea and trapping her in the gray shadow's embrace.
Her body was forced to press against the gray shadow's, her heart racing, barely able to distinguish between desire and fear.
"Stop!" Ilea screamed, tears stinging her eyes.
"The more you struggle, the stronger I grow." The gray shadow's smile turned seductive, her lips nearly touching Ilea's.
In that moment of despair, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from afar.
"Ilea—don't yield!"
It was Lucian.
Phoenix fire poured through a rift in the illusion, tearing through endless gray shadows.
Ilea looked up to see Lucian forcing his way into her heart oath space with the power of his vow flame, his gaze burning with unwavering resolve.
"You are not alone."
He held out his hand to her.
Flames ignited in Ilea's tear-filled eyes. She broke free from the gray shadow's grip and took Lucian's hand.
Their vow flames merged into one, instantly setting the entire illusion ablaze.
The gray shadow shrieked, her body splitting in the firelight, yet she still grinned: "Do you think you've won? I am you. As long as desire lingers in your heart, I will never vanish."
The gray shadow's form faded, leaving only a whisper echoing in the depths of the flames.
Ilea collapsed into Lucian's arms, her breath ragged, yet her oath mark mended in the fire.
She pressed against his chest, murmuring softly: "Lucian... promise me, no matter what the future brings, don't let go."
He held her tightly, his voice deep and steady: "I won't let go until the gray realm itself is destroyed.