The battlefield remained frozen.The ancient dragon's words echoed endlessly across the Shattered Expanse."You smell like the Celestial Emperor."Nobody spoke.Nobody moved.The revelation was too shocking.Too sudden.Too dangerous.Thousands of soldiers stared at Darius.Even many of his own followers looked uncertain.Suspicious.Because the accusation hadn't come from an enemy.It had come from a being older than most civilizations.A creature that had served the Sovereign himself.Darius slowly recovered.His fear vanished.His expression became calm once more.Dangerously calm.Then he laughed.A soft laugh.Almost disappointed."So that's what you remember."The dragon's golden eyes narrowed.Mountains cracked beneath its gaze."Answer the accusation."D

Darkness.Endless darkness stretched in every direction.Only two figures remained visible.Ethan.And the Sovereign.The question lingered between them."If saving the Nine Realms required betraying the people you loved... would you do it?"No pressure followed.No threats.No countdown.The Third Fragment simply waited.Ethan stared at his former self.The answer seemed simple.Yet it wasn't.Not after everything he had seen.Not after witnessing the loyalty of the Nine Generals before the betrayal.Not after seeing fear in the eyes of a man powerful enough to rule existence.The Sovereign watched patiently.Eventually Ethan spoke."No."The answer echoed through the darkness.The Sovereign didn't react.Didn't smile.Didn't frown.He simply listened.Ethan co