The gate did not move.
It stood like a scar carved into reality—silent, stable, unyielding.
And on the other side—
Leila was waiting.
The Decision Holds
Dominic hadn't stepped away from the gate for long.
Even now, as the others gathered behind him, his attention remained fixed on it.
Not with hesitation.
Not with doubt.
With certainty.
"We don't have time to waste," he said.
The Reality of Crossing
The old man stepped forward again, slower this time.
Measured.
"You cannot enter that world the way she did."
Dominic didn't turn.
"Then we find another way."
"There isn't one."
That got his attention.
Dominic finally looked back.
The Truth of the Gate
"The gate is stabilized," the old man explained.
"But only because she exists as its anchor."
A pause.
"Anyone else who tries to cross…"
Marcus raised a brow.
"…Let me guess. Instant death?"
The old man didn't sugarcoat it.
"If you're lucky."
Marcus exhaled.
"…Yeah, I was afraid you'd say that."
A New Kind of Plan
Dominic stepped away from the gate at last.
But not in retreat.
In thought.
"If the gate rejects us…"
His voice lowered.
"…then we stop it from rejecting us."
Marcus blinked.
"…That sounds like a terrible idea already."
The Key Insight
The old man's gaze sharpened.
"…Say that again."
Dominic's eyes darkened slightly.
"The gate responds to her."
A pause.
"To what she is."
Understanding flickered across the old man's face.
"You're thinking of resonance…"
The Concept of Resonance
Marcus frowned.
"…I feel like this is about to get complicated."
The old man ignored him.
"The gate isn't just a doorway—it's a system of balance."
He gestured toward it.
"It allows what matches its frequency… and rejects what doesn't."
Dominic nodded once.
"Then we change ours."
The Risk
Silence followed.
Then—
The old man spoke carefully.
"That would mean altering your very nature."
Marcus raised both hands.
"Okay, nope. I don't like where this is going."
Dominic didn't hesitate.
"Do it."
The Consequences
The old man's voice dropped.
"If we attempt this… you may not remain what you are."
Dominic's answer came instantly.
"I don't care."
Marcus looked at him.
"…You really mean that."
"Yes."
The Others Step In
One of the Alpha Killers stepped forward.
Then another.
Then all of them.
Standing behind Dominic.
Ready.
Marcus looked around.
"…Oh great, now everyone's doing it."
He sighed.
"…Fine. Guess I'm not sitting this out."
The Preparation Begins
The old man exhaled slowly.
"…Then we begin now."
He moved closer to the gate, raising his hand slightly.
Energy shifted in the air—
Different from anything before.
Older.
More controlled.
"This will take time," he said.
"And precision."
The First Attempt
Dominic stepped forward again.
Standing directly in front of the gate.
"Tell me what to do."
The old man nodded.
"Don't resist."
Marcus muttered.
"…That's always the worst instruction."
The Change Starts
Energy moved from the gate—
Toward Dominic.
Not forceful.
But probing.
Testing.
Dominic didn't move.
Didn't fight it.
Didn't push back.
The Reaction
At first—
Nothing happened.
Then—
His shadows shifted.
Not outward.
Not violently.
But inward.
Like something was rewriting them.
Marcus's eyes widened.
"…Okay, that's new."
The Pain
Dominic's body tensed.
Just slightly.
But enough.
The old man watched closely.
"Hold steady."
The energy deepened.
Pushed further.
Into him.
The Connection Forms
For a brief moment—
The gate reacted.
A ripple spread across its surface.
Not rejection.
Not acceptance.
Recognition.
Marcus leaned forward.
"…Did it just respond to him?"
The old man nodded slowly.
"Yes."
The First Success
Dominic exhaled sharply.
His eyes flickered—
Just for a second.
Something unfamiliar passed through them.
Then—
It was gone.
The gate stilled again.
The Aftermath
Dominic stepped back.
Barely.
"What was that?"
The old man didn't answer immediately.
Because he was studying him.
Carefully.
"…A beginning."
The Warning
"You're not there yet," the old man continued.
"That was only the first layer."
Marcus groaned.
"…There's more layers?"
Dominic ignored him.
"How many?"
The answer came without hesitation.
"Enough to change you completely."
The Unavoidable Truth
Dominic looked at the gate again.
Then at his hand.
Then back at the gate.
"Then we keep going."
The Path Forward
The Alpha Killers remained ready.
Marcus reluctantly stayed.
The old man prepared for the next step.
And the gate—
Watched.
Because now—
Something on this side…
Was beginning to resemble something on the other.
And that meant—
The path was opening.