The sanctuary was unlike anything Ayato had imagined.
A grand, circular hall stretched endlessly, lit by floating orbs of silver light. Strange symbols covered the walls — some pulsed softly, as though alive. Time itself seemed slower here, allowing every breath to feel deeper and calmer.
Renka stood before Ayato and Kaito, her expression serious.
"This place is called the Chamber of Equilibrium. It exists outside of the ordinary realms, hidden from the Sovereigns. It's where you'll begin your training, Ayato."
Ayato stood up, still catching his breath. "Training? What exactly am I learning?"
Renka gestured toward his hand. "You've proven you can resist the Seal's influence. But control is different. The Seal is neither good nor evil—it amplifies what's inside you. If you lose focus, it will devour you."
Kaito stepped forward. "And what about me?"
Renka offered a faint smile. "You'll train too, Kaito. As Ayato's Anchor."
"Anchor?" they both asked in unison.
Renka nodded. "Voidborn powers are unstable. An Anchor is someone who shares a deep bond with the Voidborn, grounding them emotionally and mentally during times of crisis. Without an Anchor, many Voidborn go mad."
Ayato exchanged a look with Kaito, surprised. "So we're doing this together?"
Kaito smirked. "You're stuck with me whether you like it or not."
Renka clapped her hands, and instantly, the chamber shifted. The floor beneath them separated into floating platforms, each suspended by invisible forces.
"Your first lesson," Renka said, "is Balance of Duality. The Seal you carry now reflects both void and light. Your task is to channel both energies without losing control."
---
The Test Begins
Ayato stepped onto one of the floating platforms. The mark on his hand began to glow again, softly pulsing between black and white.
"Focus," Renka instructed. "Summon the void first."
Ayato inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. A dark mist swirled around him as tendrils of void energy manifested.
The platform beneath him trembled.
"Good," Renka said. "Now summon the light."
Ayato exhaled, and tiny beams of brilliant white radiated from his palm, merging into the swirling void.
The moment the two forces touched, a violent burst of energy erupted, threatening to knock him off the platform.
"Steady!" Renka shouted.
Kaito called out, "Ayato! Think of your center—remember why you're doing this!"
Ayato's mind raced — the fear of losing himself, the Sovereign's shadow, and the weight of everyone counting on him.
Then Kaito's voice echoed louder:
"You're not alone."
The swirling energies stabilized. The void mist thickened but no longer lashed out. The light brightened but held its form.
Ayato opened his eyes—standing in perfect harmony between the two forces.
Renka smiled. "Excellent. You've achieved the First Balance."
Suddenly, the energy around Ayato condensed into a crystalline shard that floated in front of him—a piece of the Seal's power, now shaped by his will.
"This is your first fragment," Renka explained. "As you gather more, you'll unlock abilities powerful enough to challenge even the Sovereigns themselves."
---
A New Threat Looms
But even within the sanctuary, danger stirred.
Far beyond, across the rifted realms, a figure watched them through a swirling pool of dark energy. His face was hidden beneath a mask of black steel, his voice a low whisper:
"The boy has begun his awakening… Good. Let him grow strong. The stronger he becomes... the sweeter his fall shall be."
The figure turned, vanishing into the void as new plans were set into motion.
---
End of Chapter 7