"He didn't become the Void—he became its vessel." Cassius gripped the light-absorbing dagger, his knuckles white. "There's a difference."
The private viewing box fell silent except for the distant roars of the crowd below. Sarah's newly enhanced senses picked up the subtle shift in energies—Atlas's golden light flaring with shock, Elise's signature contracting defensively, Hannah's heartbeat accelerating with fear.
"You're lying," Atlas finally said, his voice dangerously low.
Cassius laughed, the sound hollow and bitter. "Why would I lie about this? It's the one thing I've been trying to prevent for decades."
"Explain," Sarah demanded, stepping forward. Golden energy rippled beneath her skin, responding to her emotions. "Now."
Cassius studied her, his eyes narrowing. "The newly evolv
