Empress Xalvoria stared at the boy in front of her. The stone resting on the altar behind him cast a steady, pale glow across the room, acting as a silent witness to his claim. She straightened her spine, her jaw clenching so tight it looked as though her teeth might shatter.
"You are lying," Xalvoria hissed. Yet the cold certainty in his star-forged eyes told her otherwise. "A fragile vessel could not withstand the combined divine resonance of fourteen shards without turning to dust."
"Good thing I am built different, then," Xavier replied, leaning his weight onto one leg. "So, what is your next move, your Majesty? Because as far as I can tell, you are standing on my ship, in my territory, holding a losing hand."
Xalvoria's crimson eyes narrowed. She took a slow breath, forcing her ancient pride to swallow the bitter reality. She needed that stone, and if he truly possessed twelve more, she needed those as well.
