The last of the corrupted shadows had vanished. The sky was whole again. The earth, once fractured by ancient power and twisted intent, hummed with something new:
Balance.
Snow, now resting at Luka's feet, curled up beside the glowing obelisk, pulsed faintly with the golden light of the Flame.
His eyes were closed. His breathing steady. But the glow beneath his scales had not faded.
Gregor kicked the remains of a melted beast. "So that's it, then? He's dead?"
Luka shook his head slowly. "No body. No blood. Just… gone."
Arthur narrowed his eyes at the sky. "Something like him doesn't just die. He retreats. He waits."
Serene knelt beside the crystal egg where it all began—now empty, inert. "That beam of light… it wasn't just a signal. It was a summons."
Luka's voice was low. "And we answered it. But who else did?"
Before anyone could respond, the ground rumbled again.
Snow stirred.
