Everything felt like it had frozen. In that hall filled with raw energy, Ethan stood still, the green light from the crystal now flowing toward him like a river. His sword started shaking in his grip—like it was getting ready. Ready for whatever was coming.
A drop of sweat rolled down Ethan's temple. The voices came back. His father's voice. Fayra's screams. Selena's laughter.
"I was never special… never powerful…"
But then—
A new voice.
"You still don't know who you are, Ethan. But this… this is the beginning."
That voice… came from the sword.
Ethan's eyes widened. The blade was glowing now like a star. Bright lines of light stretched from the hilt to the edge. And the moment he stepped into the circle of light, the ground beneath him started shaking.
