The malak goes silent again as the praetor walks Sorey through the rest of the ritual and he blinks, disheartened. Maybe he doesn't like the name?

But does he even like or dislike things?

Sorey completes the pact chant, distracted and concerned, but all of that Comes to a screeching halt when he feels their souls connect, tied together by the bond. It feels- incredible, strong like rapids but calm like the still surface of a lake. It doesn't feel like buying a new sword, like mastering the bow. This feels like more.