Before you cross the wall you think that everything will change once you do.

  After you cross the wall you realize everything has changed, but everything is still the same.

  You still advance, you still grow stronger. There are still deeper Depths to Dive, stranger creatures to confront. You're still who you were beforehand, and so is everyone else.

  You found your answer, now you can apply it consciously rather than instinctively.

  ~ * ~

  Anya was barely aware of her surroundings as she followed Seb through the portal. The sudden wash of lights and sounds were barely enough to make her glance up before her eyes found their way back down to her hand and the pulsing glow on her finger.

  She'd managed to surprise Seb once again with her outfit, not to the point of complete and utter shock the way the first dress had, but enough that she'd felt his emotions stutter then flare. The cut was nearly identical, the style almost the same, the only real difference was the color, a near perfect match for her robes, for their hoodie.

  For all that he'd been impressed, his eyes and thoughts conveying everything she needed, his surprise had left her overwhelmed. Rather than offer her his arm, rather than walk her to the portal and head to the Convention he had bent slightly, not quite kneeling but the intent was clear. His fingers had slipped around her hand and she felt as much as saw the initial pulse of Energy as a ring settled on her finger. A pulse that was mirrored on his own.

  Anya? Seb sent. You're still formally on record as sole Holder.

  Her eyes finally refocused, her thoughts catching up to the last few moments.

  "Lysanya, Sovereign Syl."

  "Very good my Lady. You are listed as announcing your Holding this evening. Is there anything more you wish to declare?"

  Anya nodded and took a deep breath, recalling all her childhood training and her previous visit to a Convention.

  "Holding, Partner, and Wall."

  The clerk, who she realized she could somehow tell was weaker than her without effort, made a few notes then nodded.

  "That will require re-arranging presentations. There are a handful of Holdings still expected but this should now place you as third announced, after the Heir to Deep South and before the debut of Princess Lys."

  Lys? Debut? Seb sent, confused.

  Anya's thoughts raced. There was only one way that made any sense. Had it really been- Yes, she would have turned 18 months ago. Apparently her sister was more typical and finished Awakening at the normal age. If she was anything like the Sandra she remembered she'd be nearly bouncing in anticipation of showing off her success. And now she'd not only have been bumped to going first, but making enough announcements that no one would notice what came next.

  Lysandra, she sent back.

  "Would it be possible to allow Holding Lys to still go before us?" she asked.

  "My Lady that-"

  "I understand that is against convention," she interrupted, her tone polite yet demanding. "We have already disrupted the order, this small change will only impact two Holdings. I have met Princess Lys, I would not want her spotlight completely overlooked."

  "I. I believe we can accommodate this request," he answered after consulting his notes. "Announcements will be beginning in thirty minutes. If you wish to prepare or wait in private there are chambers reserved for you and any entourage until your Holding is called."

  "Thank you. I believe we shall."

  A uniformed retainer led them past the crowds, away from the lights and sounds. The moment they were alone she turned to Seb, stepping into him until she had pinned him against the wall and was able to wrap herself around him.

  You!

  I love you too.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Where? When? How?

  Your, our, Vault. Grabbed them while you were finishing your last touches, he explained.

  But why? she sent, her thoughts still reeling despite the joy she was finally letting herself feel, finally sharing with him.

  You decided we were going to announce it, he answered. You insisted in fact.

  So you-

  -decided to make sure everyone saw what you mean to me? he finished for her. Make the truth shine so bright no one can get away questioning it?

  Seb… She wasn't sure what she wanted, to cry, to smile, to- Well this was not the time nor the place for that.

  I stared your mother down, told her I would support you. I told Valene I would stand by your side for as long as you'd have me. He paused, holding up his hand so she could see the vivid glow that nearly hid his finger. You're naming me Partner, I'm daring someone to object.

  ~ * ~

  They spent a few minutes pressed together, careful not to make a mess of their outfits. Seb had been confident that Anya would be happy with the ring, but to say he'd underestimated how intense her reaction ended up being was putting it mildly.

  He'd had the idea weeks, if not months, ago. A stray thought reminding him of the rings they had found in the Vault all those years ago, and of how they reacted to partner bonds. Of course they had been pushing to find their answers and there had been no time for distractions.

  Something had caught his attention while he had been waiting for her to be ready, a flicker in the shifting patterns he'd been seeing since they woke up the day before. They'd fallen asleep in the meditation chamber of all places, together yet without any coordination, slumped where they had been sitting before the moment took over.

  When he followed the flicker it pointed him to the Vault, his memory of the idea coming to mind at the sight, every detail seeming to click into place and he knew that this was the moment. It was no longer a question, no longer an idea, it was certainty.

  Anya.

  He felt her react to his words, her head still tilted down as she fiddled with both their hands, comparing the rings and their glows. He shifted his hand, wrapping her fingers in his until their rings were touching then gave her forehead a gentle flick.

  Anya.

  Hey! she sent. Sorry. It's just.

  I know, he answered, letting his thoughts relax and his attention focus fully on the moment they were sharing, on how his feelings were a near perfect mirror of hers even without their tendency to build off one another. I know.

  Her smile nearly broke what little self control he'd been maintaining, especially when her feelings followed in its wake. They both started to move before stopping, intent and focus clamping down on the moment with a shared promise to come back to it later.

  This was already going to be stressful, she sent.

  And I went and made it worse? he teased. We can deal with whatever comes, we have each other.

  They found their way to the couch and sat together, their proximity supportive rather than anticipatory. Seb let his thoughts continue to wander, thinking about how different everything had seemed since they awoke, cataloging the questions he had for Fay, wondering just how many answers she could finally give the.

  Hopefully Fay made it, Anya sent, apparently still mirroring at least part of his mental state.

  She said she had an errand to run and that she would see us here.

  She lives in our house, what do you think she needed to do?

  It's been almost a year, he sent. I bet she has a few things to share.

  She wanted to catch up, we wanted to level up. Then she was busy with reports when we finally wake up, we needed outfits, no time to say more than hello and goodbye.

  She'll be here, he repeated. We'll be able to catch up, and then we can spend at least a day or two at home before we-

  -test ourselves against creatures from past the wall?

  I was going to say take any training we do seriously.

  They fell back into silence, a stray thought or fragment of a word slipping across the bond here and there. He could feel her nerves at what was to come, he knew she could feel his as well.

  Finally it was time. Another uniformed retainer, almost identical to the first in appearance, yet distinct the moment he considered their Energy Pattern, led them to the side of the stage.

  "Presenting Lady Lysandra, Princess Lys. Fully Awakened Heir."

  He felt Anya tense against his side, her fingers gripping his arm as Lysandra stepped out of the crowd and up into the spotlight. To say she resembled her mother was an understatement. She was perhaps slightly shorter but no one would ever doubt they were related.

  Dressed in a tasteful riot of red and silver, a clear reminder of her Holding, she held her head high despite the faintest of tremors in her poise. The assembled guests gave her polite attention until she curtsied and rushed back off the stage.

  I remember those lights, that attention, Anya sent.

  She seemed happy.

  Nervous, shocked. Suddenly thrust into focus, shown off as a measure of Her Majesty's success as a Sovereign Holder.

  Anya, he sent. She was a little nervous, she did fine.

  I know. Just the memories, and now we-

  -are showing them our success. What we have done together, for ourselves.

  I love you.

  I love you too, My Lady.

  He felt her shift, her momentary embarrassment at his emphasis on their original roles enough to break the moment.

  "Presenting Holding Syl," the announcer called.

  "Presenting Lady Lysanya, Sovereign Syl. Presenting Lord Sebastian, Partner Syl," he continued into the sudden silence.

  The crowd knew this was not the time for announcing Holdings nor Partners, they had only reached Heirs. This was a breach of protocol, a surprise in a routine most had experienced for decades if not longer.

  "Announcing the passing of the wall by Lady and Lord Syl."

  A moment before there had been silence, the crowd paying attention to an unexpected moment. Now even the slightest sounds of movement and breathing were missing, as though every eye was turned to the stage in anticipation.

  That's us, Anya sent as she took in deep breath.

  Want to support Confluence Saga?

  Leave a comment to tell me what you think of the story so far.

  Patreon Exclusive chapter: Breakfast and Gifts

  The chapter is available for individual purchase and as part of the lowest tier (without additional read-ahead chapters)

  Want to chat about the story? Come to .

  Current Bonus Chapter Goals:

  - 152/200 Followers

  - 32/50 Favorites

  - 21/50 Ratings - Bonus chapter Saturday

  - 3/5 Reviews