In a hall shrouded in shadow, broken only by the flicker of ancient bronze torches suspended from the ceiling, the Sun of Ages sat upon a colossal stone throne.
A black crown rested upon his head, studded with crimson gems that glowed like demonic eyes watching his every move. His imposing figure was draped in a dark robe that fluttered like wind, its edges stirred by the chilly breath of the chamber, while his towering silhouette danced across the ancient walls like captive spirits awaiting release.
Before the throne, Susan and Muhammad knelt upon cushions of blood-red silk bound together by faint threads of gold, as if those very threads guarded secrets too terrible to be spoken.
The air around them swirled with the metallic scent of rust and smoke, as though the chamber itself were b
