Silence swallowed the Hall of Seals.

No one moved.

No one even dared to breathe.

Lucien stared at the armored king standing before him.

"...You're King Caelan?"

The ancient king nodded slowly.

"I was."

His voice carried centuries of exhaustion.

"I am now only the vessel that binds the Shadow Sovereign."

Oracle Selene shook her head in disbelief.

"But the legends say you defeated the darkness."

"I did."

Caelan's silver eyes dimmed.

"But legends rarely tell the whole truth."

---

The crimson light around the altar slowly faded.

The dark chains holding Seraphina loosened, allowing her to step forward.

"You said you remember me."

Caelan looked into her eyes.

"I...