Aurelia could barely breathe.
The Origin Realm pulsed around her, the very air trembling with ancient expectation. Sigils on the ground flickered like a dying heartbeat. The realm wanted something no, demanded something from her.
Choose.
The First Sunborn extended his hand, calm and patient, as though eternity would wait for her to understand what he believed was inevitable.
Far behind her, Kane’s golden flames flickered desperately in the mist. He was fighting blindly toward her, clawing through shadow-made memories that reshaped themselves every time he destroyed them. She could hear his ragged growls, feel the strain in their tether even muted, even buried, his will cut through the realm like a blade.
The First Sunborn followed her gaze.
“He weakens,” he said softly. “This realm s
