Chapter 28: The Gathering Storm
The wind howled through the Ashen Peaks.
Valerian stood on a jagged cliff overlooking the war-scarred valley below. Lightning raked across the sky in forked veins of crimson, and the air was heavy with mana—dense, volatile, unstable.
The aftermath of the third seal's false awakening had left a scar in the land. The Tomb of the Hollow Stars had collapsed into itself, now nothing more than a hollow crater that bled purple mist into the clouds above. But the real danger wasn't behind them.
It was coming.
> [System Notice: Countdown to Final Convergence – 17 Days Remaining.]
[Next Catalyst Location – The Ruins of Skyfall Citadel.]
[Warning: Presence of Exiled Archons Detected.]
Valerian lowered the system panel, fingers tightening around the edge of his obsidian-cloaked gauntlet.
They'd bought time—but not peace.
Behind him, the others were gathering.
Umbra stood sentinel near the campfire, its flames reflecting off the war-wyrm's glowing violet eyes. He hadn't spoken since they left the tomb, only watched Valerian as though calculating something.