The Gate Key glowed in Seraphine's hand.
Behind her, the First Throne began to awaken.
Golden symbols crawled across its surface.
The black stone beneath our feet trembled.
And somewhere beyond the opening gate...
Something was laughing.
Seraphine smiled.
"You're finally here."
I stepped in front of Aria.
"Put the key down."
She laughed softly.
"You still think you can command me."
"I don't need to command you."
I raised my sword.
"I just need to stop you."
Seraphine's eyes narrowed.
"You always were arrogant."
"And you always were obsessed."
Her smile disappeared.
"You don't know what I sacrificed."
"No."
I glanced at the Gate Key.
"But I know what you destroyed."
Her expression hardened.
"Everything I did was because of him."
She pointed toward me.
"The first Sh
