Chương 44: To Dance

Daisy stood watching the scene unfold before her. As Rose spoke the name of the dance, her eyes flickered to the man standing at the edge of the dance floor. The Varonothray was a sacred tradition, a dance known only to the children of Catalina Terravignion. Rose had performed it before the nobles and elites of Eludia on occasion, each step woven with precision, each movement steeped in meaning.

It was not something that could simply be copied by watching; it required specific, hidden initiations to be learned, rituals Catalina had safeguarded for generations. The dance was more than a performance; it was a declaration, a challenge. In the past, it had been used as a call to execution. Daisy inhaled sharply as Joe took his first step forward, entering the dance floor with steady confidence.

Ripples of mana unfurled from Rose's outstretched hand, the air around her shifting as she began constructing the dance's domain.

"Goodbye," Daisy whispered, convinced this was the end for him. Then, he moved. Not with hesitation, not with uncertainty, but with practiced grace. He flowed through the opening steps as if the dance had always belonged to him, slipping effortlessly between the threads of mana that wove outward from Rose. For a brief moment, Daisy's mind refused to comprehend what she was seeing. How? Was he… dancing? Her breath caught in her throat. The impossible was unfolding before her eyes.

Joe wasn't stumbling through the motions; he was gliding, seamlessly matching Rose's rhythm as he closed the distance between them. His steps weren't mere imitations; they were precise, deliberate. He wasn't reacting to the dance. He knew the dance. Her fingers brushed against her lips as a small gasp escaped. Across from Joe, Rose faltered, just for a split second, before completing her mana spread. The unthinkable was happening. He knew the Varonothray… __ Joe began the dance just as his skill had shown him.

Rose spread her fingers, tiny streams of pink-tinged mana flowing from her fingertips. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she spun at the centre of the storm, moving flawlessly. His heart quickened as he ducked and glided toward the eye of the storm, stepping forward, but something was off. His arm moved awkwardly to avoid a sudden burst of mana. He stepped past it, eyes narrowing. This wasn't like what his skill had shown him. He turned to Rose. She met his gaze, her eyes flickering to his feet and arms.

"How?" she murmured as the music slowed to a low hum. This was the pause before the following sequence began. He was supposed to approach her. He stepped forward but hesitated, his toe barely brushing the floor.

"Was that wrong?" he asked, confusion written across his face.

"No," she said, but her voice wavered.

"I just didn't expect you to… know the dance." The air around them thickened. That strange pressure returned, light yet unmistakable. Joe felt eyes on him, unseen but watching. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.

"Isn't this how we break the bond? By completing the dance?" A warmth on his chest flared, and a wave of emotion hit him, regret. It wasn't his own. He swayed slightly, adjusting his stance just in time to avoid stumbling into the swirling mana. What was that? His breath hitched. The feeling had come from Rose. She clutched her chest, her gaze locked onto him, lips slightly parted. The bond had shared her emotions with him. But why? Before he could ask, the music surged.

The tempo spiked, and the air around them vibrated. It was time to begin the dance. Joe moved into position, preparing for the first part of the Varonothray, the Trial of V. This segment was a test, two dances performed in opposition. Rose, as the maiden, would weave a domain of mana, crafting obstacles for V to overcome. His role was to traverse the domain, proving his honour and innocence. The dance told a tale of love, trust, and, ultimately, betrayal. That much Joe knew from the knowledge embedded in his skill.

But why was this particular dance tied to the breaking of their bond? Was there a deeper connection? A flicker of unease crept into his mind. Very few things that had happened today made sense to him, and he had never felt so out of place and out of control. Shoving the thoughts aside, he refocused on the dance. This was not the time to ponder the reasoning of a God and the system. His gaze locked onto Rose as she started to move.

Her steps were graceful, her dress flowing out around her like water, but something was off. The pink-tinged mana slipping between her fingers wove into intricate patterns in the air, yet Joe blinked. His head turned sharply, studying the formations she left in her wake. Some of it was correct, but vast sections were uneven and misaligned. The pattern in his mind was vivid and precise. There was no mistake. She didn't know the actual dance.

__ Rose's mind raced as she moved through the steps her mother had drilled into her since childhood. Joseph, the high human. Her bond stood in the centre of the dance's domain, waiting for her signal. Anger flared beneath the surface, but she repressed it, forcing herself to focus. He had entered the domain so smoothly, too smoothly. Did he inexplicably know the dance? How was that possible? And he moved so gracefully it almost took her breath away.

She had only ever seen one other person, her mother, navigate the start of the dance without injury. Her hands wove through the air, guiding the mana into its proper place, adjusting where needed. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He was supposed to fail. He was supposed to die, freeing her from the complications of a bond with some unknown… Her thoughts fractured as she caught movement from the corner of her eye. Joe moved before the signal. Maybe she had been wrong after all.

Maybe fate would correct itself, and he would die today. She couldn't suppress the smile that crept onto her lips, a wave of relief washing over her. Goodbye, Joseph. __ Joe's anxiety grew as he watched the domain take shape, but it was wrong, uneven, flawed. He resisted the urge to speak, to call out the mistake. What could he even say? Tell her she'd done it wrong? The dance had begun, and there was no stopping now. If he failed to complete it, who knew what the God would do? He made a choice.

Throwing caution to the wind, he moved early. As he reached Rose's entry point to the domain, he activated Mana-Coating and stepped into the domain, twirling on his feet. He had no idea if what he planned would work, but two goals filled his mind. One, correct the domain. The dance should be performed properly. Two, show Rose the true form of the Varonothray. A memory surfaced from childhood.

His mother, exasperated after watching him clumsily stumble through a waltz at six years old, had ruffled his hair and said,'If you're going to dance like a prince, you damn sure better be prepared to get your hands dirty.' At the time, he hadn't understood the true meaning of her words. But now, as he raised a hand toward a swirling cluster of mana, he understood completely. It was time to roll the dice. His heart pounded as his fingers skimmed the mana. Please don't explode. Please don't explode.

Please don't explode. It shifted. Joe exhaled in relief. It worked. A slow, triumphant grin spread across his face. His body was now more confident, flowing through the domain, adjusting the mana with a brush of his coating as he danced. His feet glided, his arms swung, his body twirled in perfect rhythm with the music. For a moment, nothing else existed, just him and the dance. The dance of V, the man who moved toward his own death. But Joe wasn't V. He wasn't dancing toward death. He was dancing toward fate.

Joe's joy surged as he danced, lost in the rhythm and flow of shimmering mana around him. It was exhilarating, even more so than cooking. His feet glided, his arms moved with purpose, and his Mana-Coating emitted a soft hum as he scanned for more misplaced clusters. He moved with confidence, eyes scanning carefully when they flicked to Rose. She stumbled, a tiny movement to an untrained eye, but to him, it was a clear stumble.

She righted herself almost immediately, her gaze burning into his eyes for a brief moment before returning to the mana around her, and for the first time, Joe caught it, a flicker of fear behind her fiery eyes. Shit! In his excitement, he had almost forgotten… He wasn't alone in the dance. Rose had no idea what he was doing. From her perspective, he was interfering, breaking the domain she was carefully crafting. Who knows what she would do in retaliation?

If she responded in the wrong way, it could ruin everything he was trying to achieve. He needed to show her. To let her know he was helping, not sabotaging. But she was too far away. Too much shimmering pink mana swirled between them. An idea formed. The bond. She had sent an emotion through it before. Could he do the same? He placed his fingertips on his chest, over the mark, and focused. He concentrated on what he felt: the thrill of movement, the joy of dancing, the excitement of something beautiful unfolding.

The bond responded. Warmth pulsed beneath his hand, the tattoo beneath his shirt gently glowing. His Mana-Coating shimmered with a faint violet hue, the colour deepening as sparks drifted across his vision like fireflies. Unbeknownst to Joe, that pulse of energy had done more than transmit a feeling; it had sent a sliver of his aura into the dance. Only one being in the entire hall noticed. Tucked quietly inside one of the walls, hidden from all sight, the tiny gnome smiled.

__ Rose caught a glimpse of Joseph, the high human, as he moved through the swirling mana of her domain. Her breath hitched. He was altering it, actively moving her domain. How is he doing that? That shouldn't be possible. She faltered, nearly slipping as her focus scattered. With a sharp breath, she forced herself back into rhythm, but her thoughts spiralled. Was this a trap? Was he trying to hijack the domain? Was this some kind of covert assassination attempt from another empire?

It wasn't out of the realm of possibility. The Varonothray was known across the multiverse, but the steps were closely guarded. No one outside her family should have been able to perform it. Or could they? She was starting to second guess that fact right now. She clenched her jaw. She would prepare for the worst. First, she had to stop him. She couldn't allow it if he was trying to take control of the domain. She shifted her steps to backtrack and reassert her control when it hit her.

A pulse of warmth spread across her chest as the bond flared to life, flooding her with emotion, so sudden and raw she nearly lost her balance again. Confidence. Joy. Elation. She staggered slightly, raising a hand to her temple, surprised by the sudden rush. It was like being swept up in the wind. What was he doing now? She looked across the domain and caught him smiling at her. Then, he winked. He… winked at her… Her pulse spiked. He was… annoyingly handsome. Especially now, without that disguise.

Why in the stars did I just think that? She scowled and turned her face away sharply, heat blooming across her cheeks. If he wanted to play games, then fine. Let him. He was about to learn exactly why she was called the genius of Eludia. This foolish high human, this bonded stranger, was about to dance the last dance of his life. __ The bond on Joe's chest pulsed, first with anger, then something sharper, almost electric. A challenge? Was that it?

It was difficult to name the exact emotion flowing into him, but it buzzed in his chest like anticipation. He glanced across the mana-streaked domain and caught Rose baring her fangs at him before she turned away with a snap of her head. If he hadn't been in the middle of a quest, performing a sacred dance issued by a god, under the system's cryptic talk of fate, on a world light-years from his own, he might've thought she looked cute when she did that. Stop it. Focus, you fool.

His jaw tightened as he ramped up his pace, moving faster now. He pushed through the domain with growing confidence, placing each footfall with precision as he shifted clumps of mana to a new position. His aim? Catch up to the princess before she completes her steps. A wild idea formed in his mind. For the next minute, he moved through the swirling current, gliding and spinning, steadily gaining ground. The domain was his to navigate now; he knew it.

He was only two steps behind her when he saw the subtle flex of her shoulder, a twitch of tension as she registered how close he was. He grinned. Rose performed her final flourish and slipped into the calm eye of the domain. Joe followed, just a step behind. She spun sharply, hands raised as if expecting an attack. But, of course, Joe didn't strike. Instead, he lifted his hand and gently rested his fingertips atop hers. Her eyes twitched in what Joe took as a surprise.

He used her moment of hesitation to guide her hands outward, catching her by the wrist as he spun her in place. Her dress flared around her like a blossoming flower. A foot shot past his ribs. Did she just try to kick me? He thought. He stumbled back with both hands raised.

"Whoa, it's just part of the dance, I swear!"

"I knew that," Rose lied sharply, adjusting her stance and patting her skirt. Her voice was fire, but her cheeks were unmistakably flushed. Joe blinked. Was that a flicker of flame in her eye just now? The music dipped to a soft hum, marking the end of the Trial of V. It gave them a brief window to breathe before the next part of the dance began, the judgment, the second of the three parts of the Varonothray. Joe exhaled and nodded to Rose, shaking his arms and legs loose.

He hadn't warmed up before this performance, and his muscles were starting to complain. Across from him, Rose crossed her arms, a smug grin on her face. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"Tired already? Stamina a little lacking?" she teased.

"Just loosening up, you know, for the next part. I wouldn't want to hold you back," Joe replied, mirroring her tone. Her attention shifted toward the domain, specifically, the areas he had adjusted. She stepped lightly around him, examining the changed portions of mana with narrowed eyes. Joe watched her as she moved, unconsciously touching her chin. Even when she was simply walking, there was an elegant grace in her step. His gaze drifted lower. Frills and silk flowed around her legs.

He looked up hastily just as she turned sharply to face him. She paused. Did she notice him staring at her legs? He hoped not. He was just observing her footwork. Mostly.

"Why?" she asked, voice calm.

"How did you move the domain? What are you planning?" Joe didn't miss the shift in her tone, amusement gone, replaced by suspicion.

"The domain was wrong," he said honestly.

"I adjusted it so it wouldn't mess up the next phase. The judgement."

"Judgement?" she repeated, blinking.

"What are you talking about?"

"The judgement of V," he said, hesitating as confusion crossed his face.

"V? Who is V?" Wait. She doesn't know the parts are named?

"Sorry," Joe backtracked.

"I'm just nervous. The dance is split into three parts. The Trial of V, the Judgement of V, and…" Her expression was frozen in disbelief, lips slightly parted as she stared at him. Speechless. Before she could ask more, the music swelled again, time to move. Joe extended a hand to her.

"Don't worry," he said softly.

"I'll lead you through the next part. Can you trust me?" For two long seconds, she hesitated. He almost withdrew his hand, then, to his surprise, she took it. Her fingers brushed his, soft and light. He pulled her gently forward. The motion caught her off guard, and their bodies bumped. Their chests touched, just for a moment, and a glow flared between them beneath her dress and his suit. Their bonds pulsed warmth, reacting to the contact. Joe kept his gaze locked above her shoulders. Eyes up. Eyes up.

It took everything he had not to glance down.

"If you had looked down," Rose whispered, her voice like silk, "I would have killed you." Joe missed a step. Together, they glided into the domain as the music continued; the Judgement had begun. __ Daisy stood enraptured, unable to tear her eyes away from Rose and the high human as they danced before the silent crowd. Everything had changed. Was this still the Varonothray? She could barely tell anymore. The core steps were there, yes, but the way they moved, fluid and perfectly in sync, felt different.

Why was he leading her? They were so close… The movements were more intricate than she had ever seen. It was like comparing basic footwork to a refined, intermediate version, familiar yet elevated in every way. Each step carried a deeper meaning, each turn and flourish woven with unseen emotion. And the pressure. The entire hall had been locked in stillness for the duration of the dance, frozen beneath the suffocating weight of the Matriarch's aura.

It pressed down on them, thick as fog, demanding silence and reverence. No one could move, barely able to breathe. Daisy had tried, in vain, to send a mental plea to ease the pressure. At last, after what felt like an eternity, the aura receded. The tension loosened, and a collective breath was released across the banquet hall. Heads turned. Shoulders slumped in quiet relief. Then… laughter. Daisy's heart skipped a beat. Rose, her Shanshara, was laughing.

Not a royal's restrained, polite chuckle but a bright, full-bodied, joyous laugh that rang like a bell. It was wild, unfiltered, and utterly real. It had been far too long since Daisy had heard that sound. Years, maybe. The sound struck something deep inside her. A chord of memory and hope she hadn't known was still there. At that moment, Daisy knew this was something she would never forget. __ Catalina Terravignion stared, stunned, at the scene unfolding before her. The man, Joseph Caldwell, had moved the domain.

Not only that, but he'd improved it. As much as it pained her to admit, the flow was smoother, the form more elegant. And now, somehow, he was adjusting her daughter's steps mid-dance. Was he teaching her? She narrowed her eyes, focusing all her divine senses on the performance. The Varonothray was a lost art. The version she'd passed to her daughter was only an imitation, a pale reconstruction of a dance she had never been able to fully replicate. So how did this high human know it?

How did a supposed newborn, barely out of the womb, move with the precision and grace of someone born to it? Too many questions circled her mind, none with easy answers. She was not accustomed to uncertainty. This was her palace, her home. And now that little seedling had the gall to drop a thread of fate directly into her lap. Maybe I should just be damned and kill him now. The thought flashed through her mind.

She wondered if she could even kill him directly, under the watch of that seedling and the system itself. Catalina sipped her tea, letting its warmth ease her fraying thoughts. Her divine mind zeroed in on the dance even as she felt a faint mental nudge from Daisy. With a soft sight, she relaxed her aura, the pressure across the hall lifting. And just when she thought this strange day couldn't possibly spiral any further, a ripple shimmered to her right.

A portal opened, releasing a cascade of earthy aromas, deep soil, fresh leaves, wild herbs. The scent of ancient, untamed nature. Her eyes narrowed. Of all the Gods of the Multiverse, this was the last one she expected to see today. Rising from her seat, she floated forward and passed through the portal. She emerged into a massive, cavernous space dominated by a towering tree of pitch-black bark. The cave pulsed with quiet power, the very air thick with ancient energy.

Beneath the tree sat a grey-haired man with a smile on his face, calm and composed. Catalina crossed her legs and floated gently down to sit opposite him. A cup of golden tea floated to her, and she accepted it with a nod. One sip revealed a rich, sugar-coated flavour, warm and soothing. She couldn't help but smile at the taste.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation.

"It's good to see you too, my dear Cat," Vagabond replied with a soft smile. Catalina sighed.

"I thought you were cut off from the system?" Catalina asked, taking another sip of her tea.

"It's time for me to return," Vagabond replied, his tone light.

"I thought I should visit you first. My oldest friend." Catalina arched a brow.

"How does forcing me into your cave count as a visit?" Vagabond let out a booming laugh.

"You have me there. I apologize for my rudeness." He waved a hand, and a small rabbit bounded over to them, a flower clasped delicately in its mouth. It stopped before Catalina and dropped the flower on her lap.

"As an apology," Vagabond said. Catalina glanced at the flower, unimpressed.

"You didn't drag me here just to give me a flower, did you?"

"I invited you to stop you from killing… him," Vagabond said. Catalina almost dropped her cup. She stared at him in disbelief, the silence stretching between them. Finally, she exhaled deeply, a purely theatrical gesture for a being that had no need to breathe.

"I assume you're aware my daughter is bonded to him?" she asked, her words sharp as blades.

"I only found out recently, and purely by chance. I don't monitor his movements," Vagabond said, his voice calm but tinged with something heavier. Catalina studied him, watching as he turned the thought over in his mind. She hated him. That much was true. But it was also true he was her oldest friend… and the one who killed her best friend.

"I hate you for what you did," She said, her voice cold.

"I know."

"You understand what you are asking?"

"Please," Vagabond said softly.

"It would be a shame if his light was extinguished so early," Catalina said nothing for a long time. Eventually, she set her cup down.

"I won't harm him," she said at last.

"But I also won't make things easy either."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Vagabond replied, smiling.

"Now, shall we watch the finale together? You do know the true ending of the dance, don't you?" Catalina narrowed her eyes.

"The final flourish?"

"The kiss, of course." Catalina Terravignion, God of Eludia, grew deathly pale. __ As Joe and Rose danced through the Judgment of V, Joe kept Rose far closer than he was comfortable with. She didn't know the proper steps for the adjusted domain, and he had no choice but to guide her through them in real-time, using the knowledge his skill granted and the dance tutoring drilled into him over the years. When she lifted her foot, he moved his own in place to guide her step.

He gently nudged her back, shifting her weight just right so they flowed smoothly through the narrow path of mana. For the first minute, Joe was half-certain she was going to stab him, blow him up, or straight-up decapitate him. The killing intent she exuded with every tug and adjustment was sharp enough to sting. He had warned her about needing to guide her, but she'd only scoffed, claimed to be the better dancer, and said she'd manage. She hadn't.

So now here they were, dancing close, arms intertwined, their bodies practically pressed together as Joe used his larger frame to shift her posture, correct her movements, and ease them both through the steps. To her credit, Rose was adjusting quickly. Whether it was the proximity of the mana or her sheer intuition, her body relaxed into his rhythm. Her focus stayed locked on their feet, tracking every motion intently.

"Speed it up two steps," Joe said quietly. Rose gave a small nod, and a moment later, the music shifted pace. He heard a few gasps ripple through the crowd; he had completely forgotten they weren't alone. The reminder added a layer of pressure that settled squarely on his shoulders, and he began to sweat.

"Relax," Rose murmured, her lips brushing near his ear.

"I thought you were the one teaching me the dance." Joe blinked, surprised. He noticed that she had just adjusted her step without his help. She had picked up the movement on her own. A small smile crept onto his face. She really was a genius. And she'd done it without a cheat skill, whispering the steps into her mind.

"Well done. But I should warn you, we have to separate in about ten steps. I spotted a clump of mana I missed. You got this?" Rose laughed, the sound like a wave of euphoria in his ear.

"I can manage for a few seconds. If you don't return in six steps, I'll have the guards execute you." Joe couldn't tell if she was joking or deadly serious. He didn't dare take the risk. As soon as the opening appeared, he released her and darted to the side, gliding across the floor with practiced ease. He tapped the clump of mana with the tip of his fingers and flowed right back to her side, his arm wrapping around her just as she completed her fourth solo step. He exhaled softly and resumed the dance.

A light chuckle against his neck sent a shiver down his spine.

"My, you are good," Rose said.

"Of course I am. Are you enjoying the dance?" he replied with a smile. Cheekily, he spotted a wide clearing in the mana around them; he spun the princess in a complete turn. He caught her once more as she came around and pulled her close. She gripped him tightly as the rhythm resumed.

"Never do that again without warning me first," she scolded, voice firm.

"Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood," he said, instantly regretting it.

"You are forgiven," she said cooly, adjusting her step.

"I'm getting the hang of this. If I match your foot angle, I can visualize the next step. Like this." He watched her tilt her foot ever so slightly, mirroring his. She moved in perfect sync with him. He leaned forward, correcting the angle with a shift of his torso, subtly guiding the step. His chest warmed, and without thinking, he pulsed a feeling through the bond, a warm flicker of pride, like a parent watching a child take their first steps. Rose glanced up at him in horror. Joe laughed.

As they danced through the final movements of the Judgement of V, Joe realized the atmosphere had shifted. Rose was talking to him again, even teasing him lightly. The tension between them had lessened. Still, he knew better than to assume they were on completely friendly terms now. Her glances still held uncertainty, and he kept his own eyes moving, watching the guards at the edge of the hall. He really didn't want to die today. However, he relaxed enough to tease the princess as they danced.

Honestly, he had to, it felt like a law of the universe. He was clearly the better dancer… Well, mostly.

"The last steps are approaching; I'm going to flip you," he warned, loosening their hold slightly to create space.

"Flip me? What do you mean…" Rose started, eyes wide. But her question came too late. He swept her into his arms and, with fluid precision, flipped the princess over his head. Her legs flashed above him as she spun midair and landed perfectly behind him. Their backs touched for a breath before he extended his hand. She took it without hesitation, and they spun once more, returning to the centre of the dance floor, the eye of the storm, as the skill had called it. They parted, catching their breath.

Joe was notably more winded than she was.

"That felt amazing," Rose said, fanning herself with one hand.

"Only because you are such a great partner," Joe replied with a small bow. But as he straightened, he caught the shift in her expression; her face had hardened again.

"I still don't trust you," she said plainly.

"We still haven't... resolved this bond situation."

"What do you mean? Won't finishing the dance free us?" he asked. But even as the words left his lips, he saw the look in her eyes, uncertain, conflicted, and not at all reassuring.

"It won't. That was not the purpose of this dance," she said quietly.

"The true purpose of the dance was… to kill you." Joe's face was a mask of calm. He should have seen it sooner; it all made sense now. What better way to deal with a problematic bond than to bury it beneath a beautifully choreographed execution? Now, he truly felt like V at that moment.

"Why are you telling me this now?" he asked, his voice tight. Because I deserved to know before you kill me? He didn't say.

"Because I think I'm changing my mind." The bond pulsed, one sharp flicker of fear from Joe, followed by a curious, uncertain pulse from Rose.

"Are you that afraid of me?" she asked, watching him closely.

"I'm more afraid of the God who clearly wants me dead," he muttered, glancing upward. That oppressive sense of being watched had somehow… doubled.

"Mother won't do anything if I ask her not to," Rose said. Why would you do that? Joe wondered. He didn't know how to ask. He didn't understand any of this.

"I don't understand anything," he admitted. Before Rose could respond, the music began to rise one final time. The last part of the dance was beginning. The Burial of V. Joe raised his hand to her with an uncertain half-smile.

"Shall we finish the dance at least?" She took his hand, a look on her face he couldn't quite read. The final part of the Varonothray began. As they danced through the final act, Joe's legs grew heavier with each step. The earlier exertions, altering the domain and guiding Rose through the proper footwork, were beginning to take their toll. He glanced at his storage ring instinctively, but to his frustration, he couldn't access anything he could use. No healing pills. Nothing.

He grimaced, feeling his body waver for the first time since the dance began. Rose seemed to notice. Her frame stiffened, and a moment later, she subtly took more of his weight, easing the strain without breaking rhythm. He felt relief at the gesture, then remembered how much stronger she was. He gave her a faint nod of thanks and allowed her to support him. He still led the dance, ensuring they followed the right route and did the correct steps. But it was a lot easier with her taking the pressure.

She had picked up the rhythm, adapted to his corrections, and now simply glanced at his feet to match the new steps with surprising ease. The heat within the domain pressed down on him, thick and stifling. His body was drenched in sweat, but he kept his breathing steady and his form upright. The steps continued, each one bringing them closer to the finale. Then, mercifully, the mana around them began to fade. The temperature dropped, and with it, a measure of the strain lifted from Joe's shoulders.

He straightened, drawing in a deeper breath, and caught the faintest look of concern in Rose's eyes.

"Don't misunderstand," she said quickly, her voice low.

"I just need you to finish the dance… so I know it for the future." Joe nodded, focusing his remaining strength. The bond pulsed between them, matching signals of pride. Their eyes met briefly as they twirled in the dying light of the storm. The final sequence approached. He pulled the image into his mind, the final flourish: a spin, lifting the princess into the air for one last sweeping twirl and then… lowering her into a kiss. A kiss? His thoughts skidded to a halt. Wait what? It ends with a kiss. Holy shit.

How had he missed that? There was no way, absolutely no way, he was going to kiss her. She was a princess. Her mother was a God who wanted him dead. He couldn't. Wouldn't. He'd improvise, just lower her and end the dance with a bow. Simple. Resolute, Joe spun her once more. One hand in hers, the other wrapped around her slim waist.

"One last pull-up, then I'll lower you down," he said, steadying his stance. She leapt, and he lifted her high above him in a final, graceful twirl. The hall fell into breathless silence as the music crested. He began to lower her slowly, but then, pain flared white-hot across his back. His leg buckled. Rose's expression twisted in alarm. Her eyes locked onto something behind him, and she struck with a fierce, powerful kick.

Joe heard a sickening thud as something burst behind him, an explosion of heat, force, and motion. He was thrown forward, the force ripping the ground from beneath him. They tumbled through the air, Rose clinging tightly to him as she pulled something sharp from his back. A searing, blinding pain erupted in his spine, and then. Darkness. System Message Quest Failed.