Scene 1 – The Golden Collapse
The void was drowned in light. Golden fire licked across the battlefield, every chain glowing with unbearable brilliance.
At the center of it all lay Jemil.
His body convulsed against the ground, every muscle straining as if torn in two. The curse mark burned so brightly on his chest that his skin looked seared, the glow pulsating like a second heartbeat. His golden bindings writhed and whipped around him, not protecting him, not obeying him—simply thrashing, alive with their own hunger.
"Jemil!" Lyra screamed, rushing forward, her flames exploding around her in a desperate shield. She dropped to her knees, trying to reach him, but one of his chains lashed out like a wild beast, forcing her back with a spray of sparks. Her hand hung in the air, inches from his, trembling.
