The golden thread flared.
As the stars of the Grand Celesta swirled overhead, the golden thread between them didn't fade. It pulsed — soft, steady, alive.
They opened their eyes. Between them, a thin thread of golden light appeared — a Soul Link, fragile as spun glass. The next day, the Earth Eleven faced Sandorius United , a team whose players could create mirages and predict every pass three seconds in advance. Within the first ten minutes, Sandorius scored twice. Their goalkeeper, Dune Mirage , had a Soul — Sand Serpent — that swallowed any shot that wasn't "unpredictable."
"Wait, me?" JP yelped.
"To Link, you must feel what the other feels. Not just in soccer — in everything," Selene instructed. "Stand facing each other. Close your eyes. Now, recall your most painful memory."
Arion stole the ball. He ran toward Dune Mirage, who prepared his Sand Serpent.
