The laughter echoed endlessly across the abyss.
Deep.
Ancient.
Wrong.
It did not sound like the laughter of a man.
It sounded like the abyss itself had found amusement after an eternity of silence.
The gigantic chains stretched across the crimson sky rattled violently in response, producing deafening metallic screams that shook the entire realm around Aliena.
The ground cracked wider beneath her feet.
Crimson light burst upward from the fractures like blood erupting from open wounds.
The air thickened instantly.
Hotter.
Heavier.
Alive.
And suddenly—
everything in that place felt aware of her.
Not just the silhouette standing near the throne.
Not just the chained memories surrounding Sebastian.
The darkness itself.
Watching.
Breathing.
Hungry.
Aliena's breathing became uneven.
Her heart pounded painfully against her ribs as she stared toward the colossal throne towering above the abyss.
Those eyes hidden beyond it—
those enormous glowing eyes—
