In an endless expanse of darkness—
Something watched.
A massive silhouette, shapeless yet unmistakably feminine, rested upon a throne that seemed carved from the void itself. Her form shifted slowly, like liquid shadow, never fully still, never fully defined.
And yet—
She was smiling.
Before her floated a fractured screen of light, its surface rippling as it displayed a distant scene.
Riley.
Standing within the dungeon.
Using his divinity.
A quiet chuckle slipped from her lips.
"…How cute."
The sound echoed softly, swallowed almost immediately by the endless dark.
The evil goddess—Erebil—leaned slightly forward, her presence pressing against the void around her as if even nothingness struggled to contain her.
Despite everything…
Despite the power he was showing—
He was still holding back.
"He's resisting," she murmured to herself, amusement lacing her voice. "Even now…"
Her smile widened just a little.
Not mocking.
Not cruel.
Just… interested.
