SOULBOUND: THE ABYSS WITHIN

Chapter 81: The Unbound Storm

The heavy doors of the Hawthorne Estate closed with a thundering echo that reverberated across its marble halls. The estate, nestled atop the Windspire Ridge of Lafrosa, was wrapped in layers of wind-forged barriers—each inscribed with protective sigils etched by Michelle Hawthorne herself.

Inside the central chamber, Mira stood still as her mother's verdict was delivered.

Michelle's voice was firm, final. "You're to remain within the estate. Indefinite house arrest. No portals. No flight paths. No contact with anyone outside this compound unless sanctioned. Your movements will be sealed under my command."

Mira's piercing blue eyes widened with disbelief. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

"You're imprisoning me?! Over a… crush?"

Michelle's lips thinned. "This isn't about feelings, Mira. It's about boundaries. Discipline. And image. You're not just a Soulborn, you're a Hawthorne. The entire city watched your descent. We barely prevented full-out war. And you refused to apologize."

"I won't apologize for wanting her!" Mira hissed, hands clenching. "Cassandra is mine—she just doesn't know it yet!"

Michelle's brow furrowed. "You speak of her like a possession."

"She's more than that—she's perfect."

Michelle waved a hand and the wind glyphs in the chamber glowed brightly, sealing every window, every portal. "You'll stay here. Until you remember who you are and who you represent."

Mira stood frozen. Fury seething beneath the surface.

But she didn't fight it. Not yet.

---

Three days later...

Storm clouds hovered over the Hawthorne Estate, drawn by the disturbed air currents surrounding the ridge.

Inside her locked chamber, Mira sat cross-legged on her bed, eyes closed—but her mind worked like a cyclone. The wind around her trembled restlessly, echoing her unbroken spirit.

> "She thinks I'm cornered…"

At that moment, her lips curved.

> "She forgets I am a Hawthorne."

She stood and extended a hand toward the engraved wall of her chamber. Her fingers danced in a complex sequence, bypassing layers of wind locks. Each sigil reacted violently, resisting her, but she adapted—twisting her own aura frequencies.

A sharp gust erupted.

The seal on her balcony window cracked—just barely.

Enough.

She stepped out, wind surging around her.

Mira Hawthorne, Rank 7, 10th Spirit Cycle, Soul Board elite—escaped into the Lafrosan night.

She didn't run. She soared.

Toward the Academy. Toward Cassandra.

---

Far below, near the misted gates of the Hawthorne estate, Ramses watched with a satisfied smirk from the cover of an old Soulpine tree.

"She took the bait," he whispered.

Then he turned away, vanishing into shadow.

> "Now... on to the next phase."