In the library of the Bronze Academy, the air was a cacophony of sirens and the smell of ozone. Dante stood over the console, his claws buried in the bronze casing, his gold eyes fixed on the countdown.
00:03... 00:02...
The Jade Emperor laughed, a sound like glass breaking. "It’s over, King. The Scavenger chose the past, and she’s buried the future. Goodbye, Sterling."
The Emperor dissolved into mist, fleeing the mountain before the detonation.
Dante didn't run. He looked at Leo, who was standing by the window, his eyes wide with fear.
"Leo, get down!" Dante shouted.
He didn't try to stop the bomb. He knew he couldn't. Instead, he did the only thing an Alpha King could do. He became a shield.
Dante shifted fully into the Shadow King, his massive body growing until he filled the ent
