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**Trial Grove – Spirit of Body's Domain**
Brann appeared in a vast stone coliseum carved from the earth itself, surrounded by jagged cliffs and rumbling tectonic echoes. A single figure stood before him—bare-chested, musclebound, and grinning with familiar arrogance.
"…You've got to be kidding me," Brann muttered. "You're making *me* fight *me*?"
The Spirit of Body's voice boomed from everywhere and nowhere at once:
**"The strongest burden is the one carried in silence. Overcome your doubt, or be crushed beneath it."**
Brann rolled his shoulders. "Fine. But don't blame me if I knock some sense into myself."
His mirror-self cracked his neck, fists raised. "You talk big. But you never believed in strength without purpose."
Brann charged first, their fists colliding with a shockwave that cracked the stone beneath them. Blow after blow rang out—flesh and steel, grit and resolve. No magic. No tricks. Just pure physical will.
Each punch his double landed stung more than just his skin.
**"You carry guilt."**
**"You blame yourself for those who didn't make it out."**
**"You fight like you're trying to earn permission to live."**
Brann roared and drove his fist into his copy's gut, lifting the figure from the ground. "Yeah? Maybe I am. But if surviving means being strong enough to protect the ones beside me—"
He lifted his opponent and slammed him down. "—Then I'll carry that guilt until I'm six feet under."
The coliseum trembled. A pulse of energy surged outward as his double dissolved into warm, earthen light. Brann dropped to one knee, breathing hard.
A glowing mark appeared on his chest, burning briefly before fading. The Spirit of Body rumbled in satisfaction.
**"The warrior walks forward not because he has no wounds… but because he refuses to fall again."**
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**Trial Grove – Reunited**
Brann reappeared amidst the others, shoulders squared, eyes a little clearer.
Kael gave him a once-over. "Back from punching yourself?"
Brann grunted. "Hardest fight I've had. I'm surprisingly durable."
"Let's hope that new enlightenment comes with better morning attitude," Lumi added.
Elira smiled. "You did well. All of you."
As the last spirit faded, the grove brightened with ambient light. The final path opened ahead—wide, mossy stone stairs leading deeper into the grove's heart.
Kael stretched. "So… what do you think is next? A giant spirit? A sentient root system? A politely aggressive deer?"
"Maybe a tea party with fate," Lumi said dryly.
Brann snorted. "That'd be a nice change."
Yuki, still watching from above, couldn't help but chuckle through the spirit link he shared with Sylvaeria. "They're amusing."
"Especially her," Sylvaeria said with a smile, nodding toward Lumi. "Her sarcasm shields something tender. You see it, don't you?"
"I do." Yuki's tail flicked. "And I intend to see how far she'll grow."
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**Far Edge of the Grove – Twilight Watch**
Meanwhile, beyond the grove's protective zone, a shadow darted through the forest. An elf girl in silver-accented leather armor dropped silently onto a branch.
Her name was Alari. Her expression was unreadable, but her silver eyes burned with curiosity.
"Another pulse," she whispered, her hand brushing her sword hilt. "Something ancient is waking."
Behind her, Lumi's partner from the scouting party—now trailing behind the rest—emerged.
"Lumi's still alive, right?" he asked casually.
Alari nodded once. "Of course. She always is. But this time… she's changing. I can feel it."
The two watched the trees ahead. Neither said it aloud, but both knew: the bonds forming now would change everything.
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