CRACK! The crystal shattered the instant Ethan's hand touched its surface. Golden light exploded outward. The entire chamber vanished beneath a storm of radiant energy. Orion immediately stepped back. Fenrir narrowed his crimson eyes. Even Aurelius became silent. All of them knew the same thing. The second fragment was awakening. And with it, another piece of the Sovereign would return. Ethan felt countless streams of energy rush into his body. The fragment entered his chest like liquid fire. Pain followed. Intense. Overwhelming. Every bone in his body felt as though it were being broken and reforged. His muscles tightened. His veins glowed gold beneath his skin. Yet the physical pain was nothing compared to what came

Tap. Tap. Tap. The footsteps echoed softly through the ancient tunnels. Unhurried. Steady. As though their owner had no concern whatsoever for the powerful beings gathered inside the chamber. The surviving guard collapsed completely. His face had turned deathly pale. "She's coming..." Nobody paid attention to him. Every gaze remained fixed on the darkness. Ethan noticed something unusual. Aurelius looked tense. Very tense. The First Betrayer, a man who had faced the Sovereign himself in battle, was tense. That alone revealed how dangerous this mysterious woman might be. Even Fenrir's crimson eyes narrowed. The giant beast stopped smiling. Orion's grip tightened around his spear. The atmos

"Kael." The name lingered in the air long after Aurelius spoke it. Ethan closed his eyes. The second fragment stirred. A memory surfaced. A young man laughing while standing atop a floating island. Silver hair dancing in the wind. Eyes filled with mischief. A spatial gate opening behind him. Then another image followed. The same man kneeling before the Sovereign Throne. Pledging loyalty. The memory shattered before Ethan could see more. When he opened his eyes again, the tomb had fallen silent. Selene looked troubled. Orion remained expressionless. Fenrir growled softly. Only Aurelius seemed unsurprised. "You expected this." Ethan's voice broke the silence. Aurelius nodded.