The stage cracked.
Stone exploded beneath Aurus's boots. The ground split in jagged lines, a thunderclap tearing through the theater. Seats twisted, broke, and fell away into the void below.
Dust burst into the air, swallowing the broken stage. A single shaft of pale light cut through the chaos, shining from the fractured ceiling like a spotlight.
High above, the Slumbering King watched in silence, dangling in the dark. His fingers moved faintly, twitching as if tugging invisible strings.
One white eye glowed onto the chaos below.
That power… Just from drawing half a sword?
Aurus didn't move. One hand on the hilt, the blade gleaming, only halfway out. He stared straight up.
"You chose well," Aurus said, voice calm. "A theater's a good place. Fits the scene."
He straightened his back.
"Your first scene... is your death."
Then the pressure dropped.
