The thing beneath the throne opened its eyes.
Midnight felt it before anyone spoke.
A pulse.
Ancient.
Immense.
Not the Hollow King.
Not Malakar.
Something older.
Something that existed before either of them.
The entire abyss shuddered.
The silver light spreading through the cavern flickered violently.
Then stopped.
Waiting.
The Hollow King's face drained of color.
Actual fear crossed its features.
"No."
Malakar's expression hardened instantly.
The demon lord turned toward the depths beneath the throne.
And for the first time since arriving—
he looked concerned.
Midnight's pulse quickened.
That alone was terrifying.
"What is it?"
Nobody answered immediately.
The mountain groaned.
A sound like continents shifting echoed through the abyss.
Then a voice rose from belo
