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It was the shudder of the cosmos, the vibration of planets shifting out of orbit, and though weakened, still carried the resonance of thousands of forgotten transcendent tongues.

Issa, still bowed, did not falter.

‘I have. I swore to give it only to you.’

Sulfiqar’s hollow laughter rippled through the chamber.

‘Then come closer, child of defiance.’

Issa rose, stepping forward.

The Rider stiffened, on guard.

If the alleged Divine Immortal breathed wrong, the Sableman would burn this entire heaven and flame out the skies.

ISSA

Sulfiqar was crumbling before her eyes.

The great storm god, ruler of the Divine Immortal, the celestial being who commanded the heavens and dictated thetides of war and peace across Sacra, was a ruin masquerading as a deity.

His former radiant golden skin, the color of molten suns, was a sickly pallor as though unseen parasites had leeched away his immortality.

His once-powerful hands, capable of raising mountains and splitting seas, trembled where they gripped the armrests of his throne.

The taloned curve of his claws dug into the divan he sat on as if to stop himself from slumping over.

Yet his eyes still burned.

Twin pits of celestial fire, smoldering with fury, pain, and desperation.

They fixed on Issa with a hatred so profound it might have scorched lesser beings into dust.

‘Where is it?’

She smiled. ‘First, we discuss terms. Like how you’ll release my father from his curse before I hand the far to you.’

‘You think you can bargain with the Most High?’

Sulfiqar’s voice cracked and jagged like lightning splintering the sky before a great storm.

Issa faced him and met that godly wrath with a defiance that did not waver.

‘I do not haggle,’ she said, her utterance sharp as flint. ‘I demand.’

A hush fell over the vast chamber, so absolute it seemed as though even the walls of the divine palace leaned in to listen.

Ki’Remi tensed beside her, his body coiled, a live wire on the verge of snapping.

‘Capture her,’ Sulfiqar whispered to his Arch Sentinel.

Her soul lurched, and she froze, eyes wild, unsure of what choice to make.Fightor flee?

Ki’REMI

Zavei made a move, but before his blade left its sheath, Ki’Remi turned, his silver meta eyes locking onto the celestial commander.

He called his ancestors forth.