Arian looked at Viktor, trapped and laughing through gritted teeth.
Then he looked at Lena, light pouring out of her like she was leaking life.
He was done being half of anything.
Half human. Half vampire. Half brave.
He took the ritual dagger in one hand. Took Lena's burning hand in the other.
Dhampir blood + artifact power + choice.
It didn't explode. It _merged_. Right in his chest.
He walked to Viktor.
"You wanted a king?" Arian's voice was calm now. Dead calm. "Meet a judge."
He drove the dagger into Viktor's heart.
But it didn't stab. It _unmade_.
Centuries peeled off Viktor in seconds. Hair turned white. Skin went papery. Power drained out of him like water.
The vampire king became just… an old man. Mortal. Frail. Terrified.
Viktor ripped himself free and _ran_. Tripped. Ran again.
His army saw their god turn human and they scattered.