Ethan tensed instantly.
His first instinct—alertness.
He began gathering his power the moment he sensed something was off. New enemies incoming? Another surprise attack?
But then… he noticed something strange.
The runes in the air weren't repelling him.
On the contrary—
They were oddly calm as they approached. Submissive, almost… like they were answering a call.
Ethan took a slow breath, steadying his heart.
He stopped suppressing his energy and instead released his full rune aura into the surroundings, letting it flow free—letting it reach them.
In that moment—
The world stirred.
Power shifted. Invisible currents rose. Something vast began to move beneath the surface.
Mountains. Sky. Even the air itself seemed to open up to him.
Hum—
Hum—
Hum—
A deep resonance pulsed through the entire realm, echoing like a heartbeat in stone.
Ethan felt it vividly—
This wasn't just his power anymore.
This world was welcoming him.
Rrrrumble—
