The Shadowlands have never felt this heavy.
The usually cold air has now turned hot, as if the world's own breath is gasping under the pressure of something that has just awakened.
The creature stood in the middle of the crimson fissure.
Tall.
Huge.
And with every passing second, the aura emanating from its body grew more oppressive.
Aurelia stood before it.
Not stepping back.
Not wavering.
But within her.
The Blood Pact bond trembled more powerfully than ever before.
She was not the only one who felt this.
Kael let his casual smile fade.
Ragnar stopped laughing.
And Orion.
For the first time since they had met.
Tensed up.
"He is not merely a creature…"
Orion murmured softly.
Kael added,
"He is something that… was once locked away."
Ragnar grinned.
"And now it's free."
The creature slowly moved its neck.
Like someone who had just woken from a long sleep.
The crimson fissures on its skin glowed brighter.
"Finally…"
Its voice was deep.
