He was tall. Featureless. Wrapped in smoke and script.
His voice made reality blink.
"I am the Pale King.
I was what came before prophecy. Before shape."
Liss narrowed her eyes.
"You're the source of the erasures."
"Yes. Because the world feared itself.
So it cut me out."
He stood.
"You broke my silence.
You remembered the forgotten."
He reached out to her.
"Now… become me."
Thessaly stepped forward, sword at his chest.
"She's not yours."
"She is what I once was.
But you are her reason not to be me again."
And behind them, the ash screamed.