The city was silent.
No one moved.
No one dared.
Veyrath's crimson eyes remained fixed on Kael.
The Heir of the Last Core.
The words echoed through his mind.
"What does that mean?"
His voice sounded small against the overwhelming presence of the Devourer King.
Veyrath smiled.
A smile filled with amusement.
"You don't know?"
Darkness rippled around him.
The city trembled.
"Interesting."
Kael clenched his fists.
"Aetherion."
The Core answered immediately.
"Do not listen to him."
Veyrath laughed.
"Still hiding the truth?"
The King's gaze shifted toward the glowing light within Kael's chest.
"You always did have that flaw."
Aetherion remained silent.
That silence frightened Kael more than anything.
Orion stepped forward.
His golden eyes narrowed.
"Enough."
Blue energy erupted around him.
The ancient city responded.
Thousands of symbols ignited across the ruins.
For a brief moment—
The darkness stopped spreading.
Veyrath glanced toward Orion.
"The Second Core."
A pause.
"I thought I killed you."
Orion smiled coldly.
"You should have tried harder."
The ground cracked.
Energy surged.
The two ancient beings stared at each other.
The air itself became unstable.
Kael felt caught between monsters.
Then Veyrath looked back at him.
"Tell me, child."
The King's voice softened.
Dangerously.
"Do you know why you're compatible?"
Kael froze.
Compatible.
The same word Aetherion had used the night everything changed.
"You were chosen."
The King's smile widened.
"Not because you're special."
The darkness pulsed.
"But because of who you are."
Kael's heart skipped a beat.
"What are you talking about?"
For the first time—
Veyrath's expression became serious.
"Your bloodline."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Aetherion erupted.
"Enough!"
Blue light exploded from Kael's chest.
The force shook the city.
Even Veyrath took a step back.
The King laughed.
"You still haven't told him."
Kael's head turned sharply.
"Aetherion..."
No answer.
The silence was answer enough.
Something had been hidden from him.
Something important.
Something huge.
The King's smile slowly faded.
"Very well."
Darkness gathered around his body.
"Ask him yourself."
The pressure suddenly increased.
Violently.
The ancient city began collapsing.
Buildings shattered.
The sky above the cavern cracked.
Everyone could feel it.
The King was preparing to leave.
Not because he was defeated.
Because he had already accomplished what he came to do.
He had planted doubt.
Fear.
Questions.
Veyrath slowly rose into the air.
His crimson eyes locked onto Kael one final time.
"When you're ready for the truth..."
His voice echoed throughout the city.
"...find me."
Darkness swallowed him.
Then he was gone.
The pressure vanished instantly.
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Kael stood motionless.
His fists clenched.
His heart racing.
Slowly—
He turned toward Aetherion.
Toward Orion.
Toward the only two beings who might know the truth.
And asked the question he could no longer ignore.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Neither answered.
And that frightened him more than the Devourer King.