Bonds of Soulfire
Location: Obsidian Prison / Ember's Garden (Trials Dimension)
Scene 1: The Divine Inquisition
Obsidian's shadow-form coalesced into a judge's bench. Cosmic dust bled from his robes as he leveled a skeletal finger at Nero:
"Question 1: What will you build with godhood?"
Nero's answer echoed: "Justice. A world where nobles and commoners break bread together."
SLAM! Obsidian's fist cracked reality. "Too shallow! Dig deeper, boy!"
Nero's eyes ignited blue. "Fine. I want to tear down the walls in people's hearts. To make 'impossible' a coward's word."
Obsidian leaned forward, black holes swirling in his eye sockets. "Question 2: When your power devours you… how will you chain the beast?"
Scene 2: Chains of Consciousness
Nero touched his chest where Eri's soul slept.
"A Consciousness Seal. My mother spoke of them – spiritual shackles forged from will."
"And if that fails?" Obsidian hissed.
Nero grinned fiercely. "I'll birth an Inner Twin to cage my darkness. Split my soul like kindling."
The shadow-being chuckled. "Final question:"
Reality warped – Nero saw Ayumi driving a blade into his mother's throat.
"Do you slaughter the princess... or save her?"
Scene 3: Eri's Crucible
Meanwhile – Ember's Garden
Petals withered as Ember (starlight hair, dagger-smile) posed her own question:
"What if Nero betrays you? Slits Baltimore's throat after you gave him your soul?"
Eri didn't flinch. Sunlight haloed her as she spoke:
"Even if he drowns the world in blood... I'll stand in the flood and ask why."
"Blind faith?" Ember sneered.
"No," Eri smiled. "The Nero I know burns for justice. If that fire dims... I'll reignite it."
Scene 4: The Soul's Shadow
CRACK!
The wall between trials shattered. Nero sprinted toward Eri as Obsidian roared with laughter:
"PERFECT! Two halves of one answer!"
Ember smacked his head. "Idiot! You ruined my dramatic reveal!"
Obsidian gestured at their clasped hands – where shared soul-energy pulsed like twin stars:
"You still don't see? When she saved you, Eri didn't just share her soul... she erased the line between yours."
Scene 5: The Sacrifice Revealed
Nero froze. "But her body..."
"Gone," Ember whispered. "That shell you see? Alchemy and hope. Her true self lives inside you."
Nero turned to Eri – really looked. Noticed how sunlight passed faintly through her fingers. How her form flickered when stressed.
"Why?" His voice broke. "You gambled eternity!"
Eri trembled. "My body was dying anyway! At least this way—"
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Nero's shout shook the garden. "Tell me the real reason!"*
Tears carved silver paths down Eri's cheeks. The truth burst free:
"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU! From the moment you shielded me from rift hounds with your bare hands!"
Scene 6: The First Kiss
Silence. Then Nero stepped so close their shared soul hummed.
"Close your eyes," he ordered.
"Wh-why?"
"Punishment."
His lips met hers – a collision of starlight and storm. Eri gasped as cosmic energy flared, fusing their silhouettes into one blazing figure.
When they parted, Nero pressed his forehead to hers:
"Idiot. I've loved you since you dragged my broken soul back from hell. You think I'd let you face eternity alone?"*
Scene 7: Hellheim's Gate
Ember cleared her throat loudly. "Adorable. Now merge properly – we're gifting you theCosmic GatePower."
Obsidian raised clawed hands. Crimson and azure energy swirled around the lovers:
"Divine power fused with hellfire! This gate devours gods and dimensions alike – but only a shared soul can wield it."
As power flooded them, Nero whispered against Eri's lips:
"Together. Always."
"Always," she breathed back.