The ruins still smoked. Ash floated in the air like snow. Altharion stood motionless among the rubble, his silhouette framed by flickering flames. Disciples surrounded him in awe, bruised, but alive.
But one pair of eyes did not reflect reverence.
They reflected doubt.
Later - Forgehouse Infirmary
The girl with the scar, Selene, sat alone, wrapping her bandaged arm. Her thoughts swirled with conflict. She had believed in Altharion—believed he could save them, raise them beyond servitude. But today… she saw something else.
Not a savior.
A destroyer.
He had smiled as Leviathan fell. Smiled while the city cracked.
Could freedom be born of fire and ruin?
A voice spoke behind her.
"You doubt him."
Selene spun. A figure stepped from the shadows, cloaked in grey, bearing the sigil of a chained star.
"Who are you?"
"A messenger. There are others who see what he's becoming. There's still time to stop it."
He handed her a stone etched with a counter-glyph—one meant to seal a soul.
"When the time comes, choose your future."
And he was gone.
Celestial Dome - Helios' Private Chamber
Helios sat before a crystal basin, watching Leviathan's fractured remains return to orbit. His fingers drummed across ancient wood.
A sage entered.
"Leviathan failed."
"No. It succeeded."
"...Sir?"
"Now they've seen what he can do. Now the world will tremble. And from fear, we gain obedience."
He smiled coldly.
"Let the people beg us for chains."
Duskfall - Alleyways
A new symbol had appeared overnight.
A burning eye.
Painted in blood.
Some called it a sign of rebellion. Others, a curse. But one thing was certain:
Altharion's name had spread beyond Duskfall.
And so had the fear.
Final Scene - Forgehouse Rooftop
Selene stood above the city, holding the soul-sealing stone. She stared at it long.
Then looked down at Altharion, speaking softly to a group of children, teaching them how to weave a protective ward.
He laughed.
It sounded… human.
She closed her fist around the stone.
"Not yet," she whispered.