Kael sat upon the shattered throne, fingers steepled, gaze distant. The firelight cast red glints along the edges of his armor.
The battlefield had gone quiet—too quiet.
Meanwhile, I was running ten diagnostics at once.
The Emotional Link message was still flashing in my log like a neon sign of doom.
[Emotional Link: ACTIVE]
[Target: Lira Valeheart]
[Sync Level: 8%. Side Effects: Increased empathy, occasional heartburn.]
Heartburn. Very scientific.
"Voice," Kael murmured, breaking the silence. "You've been muttering inside my head for an hour. Explain this link."
[Short version? You absorbed some of her mana when we stabilized your corruption. Now you're partially attuned to her soul signature.]
"And the long version?"
[I don't have one. I'm winging this as we go.]
He chuckled. "You may yet earn your place, System."
I wanted to say I already did, but he wasn't wrong. Without me, he'd be a corpse—or worse, a DLC boss.
The doors creaked open. A figure knelt before the throne—black cloak, bone mask, and one glowing red eye visible beneath the hood.
"My lord," the voice rasped. "The hero regroups at the Valeheart Sanctum. He gathers angels."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "So Elias runs to her arms. How poetic."
[She might also be preparing a counter-ritual. You know, to vaporize you.]
"Then we will have to move first."
[You're seriously planning to attack a holy fortress?]
"No. I am going to visit an old friend."
I had a bad feeling about this.