The Last Celestial Omega

Chapter 8: A Heart That Refused to Let Go

The crimson-eyed wolves circled them in silence.

Their growls echoed through the endless darkness, shaking the ground beneath Kael and Lysander's feet.

Neither of them moved.

Selene's final words still lingered in the air.

"Only one of you can survive."

Lysander slowly released Kael's hand.

"If that's the only way..."

Kael grabbed his wrist before he could step away.

"No."

Lysander looked up in surprise.

"You don't even know me."

"I don't."

Kael's voice was calm but firm.

"But I know one thing."

"I will never sacrifice someone to save myself."

For the first time, Lysander smiled.

A genuine smile.

One that made Kael's heart skip a beat.

Without warning...

The wolves attacked.

Dozens of them charged at once.

Kael leaped forward, his sword bursting into brilliant blue flames.

Steel met claw.

The first wolf dissolved into silver dust.

A second lunged from behind.

Lysander raised his hand.

Moonlight gathered into glowing ribbons that wrapped around the beast, purifying it into tiny stars.

More came.

Too many.

Kael and Lysander fought back-to-back.

Neither realized how naturally they protected each other.

Whenever Kael left an opening, Lysander covered it.

Whenever Lysander was surrounded, Kael broke through the enemies to reach him.

It was as if they had fought together for years.

High above them, Selene watched quietly.

"They remember..."

A silver-haired guardian standing beside her frowned.

"But this is their first meeting."

Selene smiled sadly.

"The soul remembers what the mind forgets."

The battle continued.

Kael's breathing grew heavier.

His injured shoulder was bleeding again.

Lysander noticed immediately.

"You're hurt."

"It's nothing."

"You can barely lift your sword."

Kael smiled faintly.

"I've had worse."

Before Lysander could reply, another wolf sprang from the shadows.

Kael stepped in front of him.

The beast's claws slashed across Kael's back.

Blood stained the silver grass.

"Kael!"

Lysander caught him before he fell.

Something inside him broke.

"No more..."

Silver tears slipped down his cheeks.

"I won't let anyone take another person from me."

The crescent mark on his chest began to shine through his clothes.

The entire realm trembled.

A pillar of moonlight descended from the heavens, surrounding Lysander.

His silver hair floated in the air as ancient celestial symbols appeared beneath his feet.

Selene's eyes widened.

"The Celestial Heart..."

"It has awakened."

Lysander opened his glowing violet eyes.

His voice echoed with divine power.

"Return to the light."

Every ghostly wolf froze.

One by one, they bowed before him.

Then they dissolved into countless stars that rose into the sky.

Silence returned.

The battlefield disappeared.

The darkness faded into a beautiful moonlit meadow.

Kael stared at Lysander in amazement.

"You..."

Lysander looked down at his trembling hands.

"I... I didn't know I could do that."

Selene appeared before them once more.

"The first trial is complete."

She looked at them with quiet pride.

"You passed because neither of you chose yourselves."

"You chose each other."

A warm light surrounded them.

"But the second trial..."

Her expression became serious.

"...will reveal the truth of your past."

The air rippled like water.

Suddenly, scenes from another lifetime appeared before them.

Kael saw himself wearing ancient black armor.

Lysander stood before him in white robes, tears streaming down his face.

Then came the words that froze both their hearts.

"Forgive me..."

The ancient Kael raised his sword.

And drove it straight through Lysander's chest.

The vision shattered.

Kael staggered backward, horrified.

Lysander covered his mouth, unable to breathe.

If the vision was true...

Then in a previous life...

The man he was destined to love...

Had been the one who killed him.