As the Mark of Comrade manifested on the souls of both William and Sunchaser, a strange yet stable connection formed between them.
The mark did not burn itself forcefully into their existence like the mark of slavery.
Instead, it settled gently, acknowledging mutual acceptance.
The moment the mark stabilized, information flowed naturally into Sunchaser's mind.
Unlike marks that bound one side through authority or fate, the Mark of Comrade functioned on equality.
It required the consent of both parties to exist, and because of that, knowledge about its nature, limitations, and responsibilities entered both souls without resistance.
There was no deception or suppression.
Sunchaser felt the weight of it immediately as he digested the information about the new contract, but much more shocking than that was the figure of William himself.
Memories long buried beneath years of regret surged to the surface.
