Ren sat beneath a canopy of skeletal trees, their bark gnarled and dry. Night was thick, but his Soul Vision made everything glow faintly with spiritual hues. Elen lay beside the fire, curled in Aria's spare cloak. She hadn't woken yet.
[System Notice: Soul Bond Initiation Still Available][Warning: Incomplete stabilization may result in partial merging or backlash]
[Risk Assessment: 64% safe]
Ren stared into the flame.
"I don't get it," he muttered. "Why would they seal someone with this much potential?"
Aria sat nearby, sharpening her blade. "Because she didn't choose to channel her soul their way. The Church doesn't like variance. Phoenix-types are rare. Rebirth isn't in their doctrine."
Ren glanced at her. "So they'd rather burn her than let her be reborn?"
"They'd call it 'liberating her essence from the wheel.' They think soul reincarnation without Church-sanctioned rites is a corruption."
"…That's not faith. That's tyranny."
[Location: Sanctum of the Flameborn Crown – Province of Kirellia][Time Since Incident: 27 hours, 11 minutes][Council Session: Emergency Conclave]
Archbishop Malrech loomed above the flame-lit chamber, robed in regalia stitched with ember-thread. His face was a tapestry of age and zealotry—deep lines etched like calligraphy of divine purpose.
Kneeling before him: Inquisitor Loran, still bandaged, his left eye sealed behind a soulcloth dressing.
"The heretic used a shadow-binding weapon," Loran spat. "He disrupted the Seal of Sanctification. Corrupted a ceremonial offering. Worse—he awakened the girl."
Gasps.
Sister Arnelle, a high-ranked Cantor, leaned forward. "This Reaper—did you confirm his nature?"
Loran's voice was bitter. "He carries Death Qi. Controlled. Muted. But unmistakable. The System bound to him… it's ancient. Hungry. Purposeful."
Malrech nodded slowly. "Then the prophecies may have begun. The Pale Root has returned."
There was silence.
Then he declared:
"Issue the Mandate of Purging. Classify the boy as a Soul Aberration. Raise the Black Hymn. No Reaper-kind will walk our lands unchallenged."
[New Factional Status: Church of Faith – Hostile (Class Red)][Bounty Placed: 120,000 Lightmarks – Wanted Dead or Sanctified]
Elen stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open, glowing faintly with sunset gold. She gasped—then sat up quickly, panting. "The fire… I was in the fire."
Ren knelt beside her. "You're safe now. I pulled you out."
She stared at him, dazed. "I remember singing. Then the chanting. Then… blackness."
He hesitated. "Do you remember what you are?"
A pause.
"…Phoenix Bloom." Her lips trembled. "My mother told me never to tell the Church."
"Smart mother."
Aria handed her a small root and water flask. "Eat. Drink. You're not out of danger yet. They'll hunt you."
"Us," Ren corrected. "They branded me a heretic too. We're probably the top of their kill list."
Elen looked at him with wide eyes. "You… you have Death Qi. That's what they hate. You're like the monsters in the scrolls."
Ren stared at the fire.
"Yeah," he said. "But I'm not the one lighting kids on fire for holy points."
That night, as Aria and Elen slept, Ren stood beneath the stars, sickle on his back.
[System Prompt: Do you wish to form Soul Bond with Spirit Candidate: Elen?]
[Warning: This action may permanently alter spirit dynamics. Emotional resonance required.]
[Proceed?]
Ren clenched his fist. The Church was moving. He'd seen it in Loran's eyes—hatred cloaked in righteousness. He'd need more than sharp words and instincts.
He'd need allies.
He looked back at Elen, sleeping fitfully. Flame-light danced across her cheeks.
"…Proceed," he said.
[Soul Bond Initiated – Phase One: Heart Accord]
[Effect: Shared Dreamspace Created. Entry Imminent.]
Suddenly, his vision blurred.
The forest around him peeled away—melted like ash in wind—and he was pulled into a place of fire, feathers, and echoing wings.
[Welcome to the Inner Flame.]