Jesse

I glared at it, trying to keep my temper in check.

Passed. Like this had been some kind of school exam. Like the pain, fear, and doubt we’d just crawled through could be reduced to a simple verdict.

“You sure took your time,” Colby muttered, arms crossed.

The Spiritborn didn’t react. Its expression—if you could call it that—remained unreadable, like it wasn’t quite human and didn’t care to pretend.

“You were tested,” it said simply. “Not just for strength, but for unity. For trust. For truth.”

Rain stepped forward. “We nearly broke.”

“But you didn’t,” the Spiritborn replied. “That is what matters.”

Matt shook his head, still looking skeptical....