Chapter 9

Chapter 7:The Dividing Line

Swayam and Sharon stepped cautiously into Hall B. Unlike the dim corridorsbefore, this space resembled a dance stage — gleaming black floors, mirrorslining every wall. But the mirrors were… wrong. They didn’t reflect theirmovements.

“These aren’t mirrors,” Sharon whispered. “They’re surveillance screens.”

One flickered to life, displaying footage of her — a fight with her father,storming out of a house. Another screen showed Swayam crying alone after theircollege breakup.

Swayam turned away. “This isn’t about dance anymore. It’s psychologicalwarfare.”

The room darkened.

A new prompt lit up in red:

“Final Trial: Separation.”
“Only one may advance. The other must stay behind.”

A steel divider rose between them, fast.

“Sharon!” Swayam tried to hold the edge, but it forced them apart.

A voice came through the intercom:
“Sharon, step forward and leave your past behind. Swayam, stay — or saygoodbye forever.”

Sharon stared at the glowing doorway ahead.

“I’m not leaving without him!” she shouted.

Swayam’s voice echoed faintly from behind the divider. “Go, Sharon! This iswhat they want — to break us. Don’t let them.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t!”

He whispered, “Yes, you can. I believe in you.”

Heart shattering, she stepped through the door.

Suddenly, the divider dropped — and Swayam was there, standing free.

“It was never real,” he said, eyes wide with relief. “It was a test.”

She ran into his arms. They held each other tightly as the stage around themcrumbled away, revealing the next corridor.

From above, the same voice echoed once more — colder now:

“You may have passed. But you’ve only earned the right… to face thetruth together.”

A final door opened — and behind it, Rey and Kriya stood,waiting.

The final round had begun.