After Azazel's message ended, the psychic projection shattered into fragments of light and vanished from the sky. Silence gripped the kingdom. The True Depravita had not lingered to hear counterarguments or endure rebukes. He had said what he wished to say and then withdrawn, leaving only the echo of his ultimatum.
And now, all focus shifted.
The eyes of soldiers, wounded champions, and Archdeities alike turned to the Scarlet King. Cain felt the weight of thousands pressing against him, their stares heavy with fear, hope, and unspoken expectation. The enemy stood renewed—healed, bolstered by greater numbers—and they offered a way out. All Cain had to do was surrender his life.
Outrageous though the demand was, it struck at the heart of every soul present. For a fleeting instant, some among them almost dared to dream of survival, of exile, of safety.
