THE NEIGHBORING KINGDOM

The void nexus pulsed beneath Goblin's Hollow, its rhythm now stabilized but changed—like a heart that had survived trauma only to beat with a new, uncertain cadence. Three days had passed since Reed's return and the domain's elevation to Tier 3, days spent reinforcing barriers and preparing for the inevitable scrutiny from the regional authority. The image of Valerian's distorted face haunted Reed's dreams, the collector's warning echoing in his thoughts during waking hours.

They're coming. All of them. The fragments have awakened.

Reed stood atop the eastern watchtower, his gaze fixed on the horizon where dawn painted the sky in shades of blood and ash. Beside him, Grimscar remained silent, understanding his lord's need for contemplation. The evolved goblin had grown even more during these three days, his frame now nearly human-sized, his emerald skin etched with deeper, more complex runes that pulsed in time with the void nexus below.