THE ARCHITECT OF CHAINS
There was no sound as they fell.
No wind.
No light.
No sense of direction.
Just the endless sensation of being pulled downward into something that had no bottom — like gravity had decided Kael’s soul belonged somewhere else entirely.
Then—
A faint shimmer appeared beneath them.
A world formed out of darkness.
Not molten.
Not cosmic.
Cold.
They crashed onto black stone — a surface smooth as glass, sharp as frozen night. The impact stole the air from Kael’s lungs. He staggered upright, chest heaving, disoriented.
Nara materialized beside him, clutching her head. Lyra blinked hard, golden aura flickering weakly. Riven pushed himself up with a curse, shaking shadows off his claws.
They stood in a desolate expanse.
Above them stretched a starless void. Ben
