---
**Spirit Realm – Trial of Bond**
The twilight field shimmered like dream-glass beneath Lumi's bare feet. Her mirror-self rushed her with uncanny speed, moving like she knew every one of Lumi's weaknesses—and in truth, she did.
Lumi ducked low, rolling to the side, barely dodging a sweeping kick that could've shattered her ribs.
"This is stupid," she muttered, fists clenched. "Why is the trial of *bond* making me fight myself?"
The mirrored version of her—smirking with cruel confidence—answered without moving her lips. The voice echoed from the very air.
**"Because you don't *trust* anyone. Not even yourself."**
"Trust isn't mandatory," Lumi growled, dodging again. "It's optional. Like neck scarves."
She darted forward, throwing a punch. Her copy blocked it easily, countering with a spinning elbow. Lumi felt it graze her cheek. Pain flared—real, not illusory.
Her reflection stepped back. "You think pushing everyone away keeps them safe."
"They *are* safer." Lumi spat blood. "I've buried too many friends to believe otherwise."
**"And if they stay, even after knowing?"**
Lumi froze.
Her mirror-self tilted her head. "Then what will you do, Lumi? What will you do when they choose *you*, scars and all?"
The field warped. Behind her mirrored self, ghostly images of Elira, Kael, Brann—and even Yuki's looming, watchful form—flickered to life.
"You don't have to carry everything alone," the voice said.
Lumi's fists lowered. "Then… I need to learn how not to."
A wind spiraled around her, warm and swift. Her mirror-self smiled faintly—and dissolved into stardust.
---
**Trial Grove – Return**
The glowing circle pulsed, and Lumi reappeared, landing on her feet with a dull thud. Her sword was back in her hand, its edge glowing faintly green.
Elira rushed over. "Lumi! Are you—"
"Fine," Lumi interrupted, brushing her hair back. "The wind lectured me. I hated every minute of it."
Kael grinned. "Did you bond with your feelings?"
She gave him a flat look. "I bonded with the urge to punch someone named Kael."
"That sounds healthy."
The spirit of wind drifted away, its light dimming.
The bark-bound spirit of *body* now stepped forward, fixing its mossy gaze on Brann.
He stepped forward calmly. "My turn, then."
Kael whistled low. "Hope it doesn't make *you* fight your reflection. I doubt the forest can handle two of you."
Brann shrugged, already vanishing in a flash of earthen light.
---
**Overwatch – High Canopy**
Yuki sat curled on a thick branch high above the trial grove, his tail coiled beneath him. Beside him, Sylvaeria floated, a serene light in her eyes.
"She's changing," Sylvaeria murmured, watching Lumi. "Not just stronger… deeper. Like the forest is taking root in her."
"Good," Yuki said, his eyes narrowing. "She has potential. She just doesn't believe it yet."
Sylvaeria tilted her head. "Is that why you didn't interfere? Not even when the trial nearly broke her mind?"
"She didn't need me," Yuki replied. "This isn't a battle of strength. It's one of self. If she's to become… important in what comes next, she has to forge herself first."
Sylvaeria gave him a knowing smile. "You're thinking about the future already?"
"Always."
He turned his gaze northward, where spirit trails pulsed like threads of fate in the distance.
More adventurers were approaching.
And among them… another echo of destiny.
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