Liss had a dream.
She stood before twelve thrones, all empty.
And a thirteenth throne—broken.
Blood pooled beneath it.
From the shadows, Ling Kushi stepped out.
"You were the thirteenth seat," he said.
"The forgotten god. The one erased to protect everything else."
Liss backed away.
"No."
"Yes. You're not their mistake. You're their sacrifice."
And behind her, she saw herself—
Younger. Crying. Covered in chains of holy light.
They had locked her away.
Not for being a threat.
But because she was too necessary to destroy.
She woke in Thessaly's arms, sweat dripping down her spine.
And whispered:
"They made me…
Then threw me into silence."
Thessaly pulled her closer.
"Then let's be louder than gods."