The sky cracked.
Not with thunder.
But with System light—lines of gold code etching through the clouds as if the very fabric of the world had been torn open.
From that rip stepped Maris.
No longer the dirt-smudged girl of Ryon's memories.
She hovered above the capital in a cloak of static fire and flowing ribbons of living data, her silver eyes void of recognition.
But her voice carried through the air like a prophecy:
> "I am the null to your flame. The answer to the anomaly. The first thread… and your final one."
> System Alert:
Entity Arrival Confirmed: M-000 / Maris
Thread Type: Nullborn Sovereign
Bond Link: Severed (Forcefully)
Power Class: System Prime
Threat Level: Catastrophic
Soul Match: 97.4% with Ryon
Reaction: Initiate Emotional Suppression Protocols or Risk Overload
The defense grid of Emberlight pulsed once—then failed.
Maris descended like falling snow over flame.
