Page 37 of Witchful Thinking

Diana could feel it happening—threads of connection dissolving one by one, each severed strand sending fresh agony through her magical core.Through their increasingly fragmented fusion, she sensed Alarick experiencing the same torment, yet neither of them faltered in maintaining the containment field.

Edgar finally found what he was seeking, diving to peck at a small rune carved into the base of the central crystal.The network shuddered, green light flickering, then began to dim as the raven's interference disrupted the power flow.

"Almost there," Diana encouraged, though speaking sent fresh waves of pain through her."Just a little longer."

With a sound like shattering glass, the corrupted crystals finally went dark.The immediate danger passed, but the damage to their fusion was already done.The golden light connecting them flickered weakly, riddled with gaps and distortions where the corruption had eaten away at their bond.

"Diana," Alarick's voice sounded distant despite him standing right beside her."Our fusion—it's critically damaged."

She felt it too—the once-vibrant connection now hanging by the thinnest threads, barely maintaining cohesion.Worse, each remaining strand pulsed with a sickly green tinge where the corruption had infected it.

"Can we heal it?"she asked, medical training automatically assessing the damage."If we focus our remaining energy—"

Alarick shook his head, his expression reflecting the despair she felt."The corruption is spreading along the fusion pathways.If we don't sever the connection cleanly, it will reach our magical cores."

Horror bloomed in Diana's chest as she understood the implications."You mean..."

"We have to break our fusion," he confirmed, anguish plain in his voice."Completely.Or the corruption will permanently damage both of us."

"There has to be another way," she protested, even as her diagnostic senses confirmed his assessment.The corruption was indeed traveling along their bond, approaching their magical cores with each pulse.

"I'm sorry, Diana."His eyes held hers, grief and love mingled in equal measure."We have to end it now, while we still can."

She knew he was right—could feel the truth of it in the increasing pain as the corruption advanced.With a heart that felt like it was physically tearing, Diana nodded.

"How?"she asked, voice breaking.

"Focus on your individual magic," he instructed, taking both her hands in his."Visualize pulling your energy back into yourself, separating it completely from mine."

Diana closed her eyes, concentrating on the core of her magical self, the essence that had existed before their fusion.She began to draw that energy inward, feeling each golden thread connecting her to Alarick strain and protest as she pulled away.

The pain was excruciating—not physical but deeper, as though her soul itself was being torn.Through the rapidly diminishing connection, she felt Alarick experiencing the same agony as he withdrew his magic from hers.

With each severed thread, the empty space within her grew colder, a hollow void where wonderful completeness had been.The golden light between them flickered, dimmed, contracted to a thin line.

When the final thread broke, Diana gasped as though physically struck.The constant presence of Alarick's magic, the awareness that had become as natural as breathing, simply vanished.She was alone in her magic again, isolated within the boundaries of her own being.

"It's done," Alarick whispered, his voice reflecting the same emptiness she felt."We're...separate."

Diana reached for him physically, desperate for some connection to replace what they had lost.His arms went around her, but the embrace felt hollow—a mere shadow of the profound union they had shared.

Later, as Professor Everflame examined her magical core, Diana learned the full extent of their sacrifice.

"The fusion dissolution has left scars," Everflame explained gently."Your magic has been altered—shaped to work with Mr.Blackthorn's specifically."

"Could we ever reconnect?"Diana asked, her voice barely audible.

Everflame's hesitation was answer enough."Broken fusions rarely reform naturally.And artificial attempts are..."she trailed off, shaking her head.

Diana watched Alarick receive similar news across the room, his face tight with controlled pain as Professor Frost spoke in low tones.Without warning, he stood and strode from the room, not meeting her eyes.

When she moved to follow, Ceries caught her arm."Give him time, honey."

Diana reluctantly nodded.

After a few hours, she couldn't bear it any longer and found him in the east garden, staring at the reflecting pool as twilight painted the sky in shades of ember and ash.

"My warding abilities are damaged," he said without turning, his voice empty of emotion."The control needed for protective work is gone.My magic is unstable in exactly the patterns needed for dueling shields."

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