The northern sky did not darken naturally.
It folded.
Clouds spiraled inward in unnatural symmetry, forming a colossal vortex that swallowed the horizon. Lightning flashed—not downward—but horizontally, slicing through the sky like veins of living energy.
Ethan stood at the edge of a frozen ridge overlooking the forming tempest.
The System pulsed sharply.
[Domain Activation Confirmed]
[Designation: Tempest Throne]
[Status: Sovereignless — Volatile]
[Estimated Time to Full Manifestation: 03:12:44]
Kaelith shielded her eyes from the rising wind.
"That's not just weather."
Ronan's sigils flickered violently around his wrists.
"It's self-sustaining. The storm is feeding off upper ley compression."
The Ember Sovereign stood silent, ember-gold glow reflecting against the stormfront.
"The Celestial warned of stirring domains."
Ethan's frostfire ignited brighter.
"And this one didn't wait."
Lightning struck the ridge below them.
The ground did not explode.
It crystallized.
