Aria returned to Auroria before dawn.
The journey from the Watchers' celestial chamber had taken only moments, yet everything felt different.
The warning of the Null Sovereign echoed in her mind.
Bring me the Seed.
The words felt less like a threat and more like a promise.
A terrible promise.
Inside the royal palace, Kael, Rowan, Orion, Morgana, and the council gathered immediately.
Aria explained everything.
The Watchers.
The Null Sovereign.
The ancient war.
The Seed hidden beneath Auroria.
When she finished, silence filled the chamber.
Finally, Rowan spoke.
"So our world isn't being attacked because of what we've done."
Aria nodded.
"It's being attacked because of what it contains."
Morgana leaned forward.
"The secret chamber beneath the palace."
Orion's face darkened.
