Jack's eyes stayed fixed on the shimmering surface of the Never Map as it rested on the elevated platform.
The artifact seemed alive, its fluid etchings shifting with a hypnotic rhythm. He had known the map would be here. It was, in fact, the very reason he had come to the auction in the first place.
The significance of this moment wasn't lost on him, though he reminded himself of one crucial fact: the Chapters of Time couldn't possibly appear at an event like this.
'If it did, there wouldn't be bids—there would be war,' Jack mused.
The thought played out vividly in his mind: hordes of powerful beings clashing in a violent frenzy for control of the artifact.
'We wouldn't stand a chance.'
He sighed, leaning back slightly, though his gaze never wavered from the stage.
'But who would even want to sell something as priceless as the Chapters? It'd depend on the conditions…'
