The world narrowed.
Not to fire or frost. Not to war cries or broken skies. But to one chain.
A single loop of shadow-forged iron wrapped around her mother’s throat—etched with runes that writhed like worms, alive with ancient power.
The Queen of Ruin cradled the other end like a prize, her fingers trailing lovingly over its corrupted links. Her smile was poison-sweet.
“One soul for another,” she purred. “A fair trade. Yours… for hers.”
Seren’s hands trembled, but her eyes—her mother’s eyes—locked on that chain.
Even now, her mother’s body stood tall, still regal beneath the decay. But her spirit flickered beneath the corruption, dim but defiant. Her mouth moved again.
“Don’t.”
But Kael groaned beside Seren, dragging himself up on one knee, blood staining his lips.
“She’s playing
