The stranger’s hand closed around the Moon Crown.
A deafening explosion of silver light erupted across the temple.
“No!”
Nysera lunged forward.
The moment her fingertips brushed the ancient crown, an invisible force hurled both of them in opposite directions.
BOOM!
The arena cracked apart.
Stone pillars collapsed as the sacred mountain trembled violently.
The Moon Crown floated between them, refusing to move.
Its silver glow pulsed like a heartbeat.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
“It rejected them…”
The High Priestess whispered.
“No.”
Master Rowan narrowed his eyes.
“It’s… waiting.”
The hooded stranger slowly rose to his feet.
His silver robes fluttered in the icy wind.
For the first time, everyone could see his face clearly.
He looked no older than thirty.
Sharp feature
