Chapter 153: The Trial (12)
The void trembled.
As the fractured reflections crumbled into stardust, the once-cold realm began to shift. The broken platforms aligned, forming a spiraling bridge that glowed with constellations beneath their feet. It led upward—toward a towering celestial gate suspended in the cosmos like a doorway to the heavens themselves.
[TRIAL COMPLETE.]
Affection Milestone Reached: Evelyn - MAXED.
New Ability Unlocked: Dreamtide Synchrony.
Vivienne can now synchronize her illusions with an ally’s emotional state for amplified effect.
A soft chime echoed in the air, and Vivienne blinked.
"Oh," she said faintly. "That... that actually felt kind of nice."
Isolde gave her a long look. "You just unlocked a power-up by having a breakdown. This world is weird."
"Welcome to my life," Verena muttered, rubbing her face. She still felt a little emotionally bruised, but lighter too—like some invisible burden had unhooked itself from her chest. "So... do we get a break, or is the next trauma gauntlet ready and waiting?"
Before anyone could answer, the celestial gate opened on its own.