'Becoming my first–'
The thought started forming in Damian's mind, trying to process what the figure had just offered.
Then everything stopped.
The snow that had been falling froze in place, suspended in the air like someone had pressed pause on reality itself.
The wind that had been carrying distant sounds from the training center went silent.
Damian's chest stopped rising, his heart stopped beating and his thoughts cut off mid-formation as time itself came to an absolute halt.
The figure stood there for a long moment, looking at Damian's frozen form.
Then its head tilted upward, that void-like darkness turning toward the sky
"FATE!"
The word tore through the frozen silence like thunder, the voice carrying absolute authority.
"COME BEFORE ME!"
The demand echoed across the training center grounds, across the mountains and across reality itself.
But only silence answered, heavy and oppressive.
The figure remained still, patiently waiting, but nothing happened.
