Chapter 424 Between Love and Judgment — Ritual for the Cursed Sister
The atmosphere of Alpha strained like a thread pulled too tightly.
Rui lay still in the midst of the collapsed altar, her body gradually pulsating with foreign symbols—fratricide circles and bloodstains that seemed to challenge the very concept of "family," illustrating how betrayal and brotherhood could intertwine within a single fate. Around her, the ground cracked slowly, as if this world—crafted from the order of will and name—could no longer bear the resonance of Qayin. The moment between them felt to transcend time, as Joanna's memories of Rui's laughter and warm embraces flooded her mind, urging her to act. The spirit forged from those beautiful memories whispered like a gentle breeze, slicing through the silence that dominated the atmosphere, reminding them of the bond that once existed.
Joanna, standing amidst it all, felt unsteady, her eyes red from sleeplessness and tears. Yet one thing remained unchanged: her love for her sister.
"Rui... you are not a burden."
"You are the reason I do not drown in the eternity of time."
Joanna drew a circle of light—not with Alpha magic, but with ancient aether, once taught to her by Sheena. This aether does not yield to the Spiral, but rather to the bond of souls, creating something deeper and more powerful than ordinary magic. With each stroke, a gentle energy enveloped her spirit, as if dancing in harmony with the intertwined pain and hope of sisterhood. The strength born from the depths of her heart, undefined yet real, built a bridge between her soul and Rui's.
"I cannot heal your curse... but I can give you a body to live for a while without being consumed by it."
She took a crystal from within her cloak—"Fragmentum Armonia", a shard from the Codex Harmonia once touched by Jeanne, her eldest sister. The crystal vibrated with sharp energy, filled with history and hope, as if whispering that their love could sever the darkness.
Joanna gazed at Rui, who lay there.
"Your brother used to bear the weight of time... now let me... bear this blood with you."
"Veritas Caelorum: Filii Mei, Ego Te Recipio."