The eyes were not eyes.They were voids.Endless and cold.
The crown burned on Vael's head.A sharp, sudden pain.
He dropped to one knee.The city groaned again.
"You are not ready," the voice said."But I will make you ready."
Reylen drew his blade.It shook in his grip.
Nyra raised her staff.Her chant broke the silence.
But it was too late.
From beneath the tower,the stone cracked.
A hand burst through.Black as tar.Long fingers. Too many joints.
Then another.
A figure pulled itself free.Twisted, thin, and tall.Bones on the outside.A face made of masks.
It looked at Vael.
"Crown-bearer. Vessel. Son of Ruin."
"I am none of those," Vael growled.
"Not yet. But you will be."
The creature lunged.
Vael rolled aside.Chains burst upward like spears.
Nyra's magic flashed blue.It slowed the monster.But didn't stop it.
Reylen slashed.His blade cut one arm clean off.It grew back in seconds.
"Its body isn't real!" Nyra shouted."It's memory! You can't kill memory!"
Vael stood, trembling.The crown pulsed.He heard a voice—not the creature's.
It was his own.From the night Black Hollow burned.
"I wanted this… didn't I?"
The creature laughed."You called me.I waited."
Vael's shadow grew.It wrapped around him.
Nyra screamed."Don't let it in!"
But he already had.
Power surged through him.Cold and endless.His eyes turned black.
The creature stopped.It stared at him…and knelt.
"My king."
Vael didn't speak.
Because he wasn't Vael anymore.