The Depth wasn't dark anymore. It was radiant, blindingly so, endless plains of crystalline growths rising like jagged mountains, all shimmering with prismatic color.
Rivers of light ran through the valleys, and from above hung fragments of shattered worlds suspended in slow motion, each rotating around the heart of the realm: a colossal sphere of pulsing light, chained to the ground by roots of blackened metal.
Ashwing gaped. "Okay… that's new."
Nysha's breath caught. "Those chains… they're divine."
"Not just divine," Lindarion said softly. "They're alive."
As if in answer, the nearest chain shifted slightly, its movement accompanied by a sound like an entire mountain sighing. From its surface crawled faint, runic patterns that glowed, faded, then reignited in sequence.
The system flared.
[Primary Seal Identified: Axis Core Restraint.]
[Contained Entity: Dythrael — The Devourer of Dawn.]
[Integrity: 0.02%. Imminent Failure Predicted.]
Nysha froze. "…Zero point zero two?"
