Then the mages of Qiyun rose like stars, thousands strong. The Council stood at the center, shields and spells ready. The Mage King stood tall, drawing his ancient blade from its sheath, its edge carved with the language of the First Flame.
From above, Virion raised his hand.
Behind him, the Vestige descended.
Humanoid in shape, but inhuman in presence. Tall figures wrapped in glistening robes made of threads that shimmered like starlight. Their faces were smooth masks of bone and obsidian. No eyes. No mouths. Just silence. But from their bodies, tendrils of silver flowed like rivers of thought.
Each one was terrifyingly still.
And then the air pulsed.
One of them stepped forward. His body crackled with blue lightning, and from his chest, a core of light flickered like a dying sun.
"I am Enka," he said. His voice was not spoken, but felt. "Executor of Judgment. Slayer of Worms. Breaker of Time."
