The pegasus faltered, wings beating unevenly, breath coming hard. It lunged one last time, desperate and wild.
Luna did not dodge.
She stood her ground and drove her staff into the earth.
"Submissio libera."
The sigil snapped inward.
Not a cage. A bridge.
The pegasus slammed to a halt inches from her, hooves gouging deep furrows in the ground. It shuddered violently, shadow peeling away from its form in ragged streams. Luna felt the connection snap into place, raw and unstable, a torrent of pain, rage, and grief flooding her senses.
She gritted her teeth and held on.
Minutes passed like hours.
At last, the pegasus lowered its head, wings folding slowly against its sides. The oppressive mana in the stable eased, shadows receding as the bond stabilized into something fragile but real.
Luna sagged slightly, leaning against her staff.
"There," she whispered. "That's enough."
