With Ryn's betrayal, Kael found himself at a crossroads. He had already sacrificed so much—his honor, his friends, and his own humanity—and now, he was faced with an even greater choice: trust in the few remaining allies he had, or forge a new path, one that could either save or destroy the world.
It was Elara who remained steadfast at his side, though Kael still wasn't sure where her true loyalties lay. She had known the truth about the Architects from the start—her cryptic guidance had led him down a path that ultimately left him in a position of unimaginable power. But what did she truly want?
"I've been thinking," Elara began, her voice softer than usual. "About what comes next."
Kael met her gaze. "What do you mean?"
"The world you've fought to free... it's a shattered mirror. There's no turning back now. If you claim your throne, if you truly rule this broken realm, you'll need to make sacrifices. But the most dangerous enemies may not be the ones who fought against you—they are the ones who will come in the name of salvation."
Kael's fists clenched. "I didn't free the realms just to sit on a throne. I won't let this world be a puppet to anyone—whether it's gods, immortals, or those who think they can save it."
But Elara's warning struck deeper than he expected. The weight of his choices began to sink in. A ruler without a kingdom was no ruler at all, and Kael wasn't sure if he had the strength to rebuild what he had destroyed. His journey had been one of vengeance, but now, it seemed to be evolving into a desperate bid to restore balance—a balance he had never truly understood.