Chapter 66: The Ash-Gate Opens

It came as a whisper.

Not a threat. Not a scream. Just… an invitation.

A soft voice carried on the dusk breeze: "Come."

The earth cracked outside the dream-village. A portal opened—not divine, not void, but ash. Gray smoke curling like fingers.

Liss stood. Her friends rose beside her.

"You feel that?" Naia asked. "It's old," Korrin muttered. "Older than gods. Maybe older than the First Memory."

Thessaly gripped her blade.

"Do we follow it?"

Liss looked into the swirling gate.

"We don't follow. We finish."

They stepped through together.

The world they entered was colorless. Not dead.

Waiting.

And ahead of them— A throne made of broken gods.

And someone sitting there.

Clapping slowly.

"You took long enough."