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The aftermath of the battle with the Echo Sovereign left the ruins eerily silent.
For the first time in what felt like ages, no twisted mana churned in the air. No whispers echoed through crumbling halls. Just peace. Heavy, hard-earned peace.
Yuki stood at the heart of the chamber, crimson eyes dimming from their previous blaze. The weight of the battle, the souls bound, and the truths unveiled settled on his shoulders.
Behind him, five figures stood—no longer just allies, not even just companions.
They were his flames now.
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### **The Bond Forged**
"I still don't get how he fits all five of us under his wings," Lumi muttered, arms crossed but half-grinning. "Like, we *do* take up space, you know?"
"You take up the *most* space, actually," Elira sniped. "In terms of loudness."
"Are you calling me fat, Sparkle Witch?"
Sylvaeria groaned. "Goddess of Forests preserve me…"
Yuki chuckled. The tension had broken, and the banter—though chaotic—was oddly comforting.
Aeiris leaned against her sister, her silver hair now streaked with faint teal from the recovered soul fragment. "I still feel… strange. But more complete."
"You're not alone," Seiris said quietly, wrapping an arm around her.
"I know," Aeiris smiled. "This time… I know."
Yuki turned to them all. "We've crossed into something deeper now. These ruins, this trial… it wasn't just a battle. It was a test. Of what we are to each other."
Lumi raised a brow. "And what *are* we, oh wise dragon?"
He paused, then spoke with quiet certainty. "A family. A fire. And each of you... a flame that burns beside mine."
For a moment, none of them spoke.
Then Lumi ruined it.
"Does this mean you're admitting you like us now?"
"Lumi…" Elira groaned.
Yuki laughed. "I've *always* liked you all. Even when you're insufferable."
Sylvaeria smiled softly. "Then you'd better be ready. Because from here on… we're staying by your side. All of us."
Yuki nodded. "Good. Because I don't plan on letting *any* of you go."
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### **New Powers, New Paths**
As the group began their trek out of the ruins, their powers pulsed faintly—evolved, strengthened by the trial.
* **Sylvaeria's** winds now shimmered with golden embers, tied to Yuki's flames, forming a new hybrid magic: *Verdant Pyre Gale*.
* **Elira** had unlocked a final sub-skill to her **Witch's Eclipse**—**Midnight Genesis**, allowing her to rewrite small laws of magic in a field.
* **Lumi**, ever flashy, could now ignite her sword with the *combined will* of all five girls temporarily, invoking **Eternal Dancer's Wrath**—a one-strike-all spell that mirrored their bond.
* **Seiris**, from her connection to her now-whole sister, awakened **Shadowflame Oath**—a defensive/offensive tether skill with Aeiris.
* **Aeiris**, reborn and whole, received her first unique skill: **Lunar Echo Sanctuary**, allowing her to shield allies with soul fragments and even *store memories* to reflect on later.
Yuki's own flame deepened. **Warden of Kindred Flames** pulsed with new warmth—no longer just a protective ability, but a *home* that drew strength from those bound to him.
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### **Farewell to the Hollow**
At the forest's edge, they looked back one last time. The ruins—once haunted and broken—were now quiet. Purified.
Seiris exhaled. "Feels strange. Like it's… over."
"For now," Yuki said. "But we know what's coming."
"The kingdoms," Elira murmured. "The world beyond the trees."
Sylvaeria nodded. "They'll come soon enough. We've seen scouts, felt ripples."
"And we'll meet them," Yuki said. "On our terms."
Lumi grinned. "With fire, sarcasm, and fabulous swordwork?"
"Mostly sarcasm," Aeiris whispered.
The girls laughed—five distinct notes, all in harmony.
Yuki looked at them—his bonded, his hearts—and smiled softly.
"Let the world come," he said. "We've got our own legend to write now."
And so, they turned forward.
Together.
Into the unknown.
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