[Obsidian Gate – Realm of Vaikraas]
Reyansh lay broken against a molten pillar, the very air turning to ash with each breath. Vaikraas circled him, wings scraping reality, its voice echoing like the death cries of burning stars.
> "You who woke me… offered no tribute. You spoke of liberation, but reek of manipulation."
> "Give me a reason not to consume your soul."
Reyansh, coughing blood, looked up with burning defiance.
> "Because I can give you what Ash never did."
The dragon paused.
Reyansh pulled a crystal from his robes—a fragment of Ash's soul, stolen during the Dream Realm walk.
> "A sliver of the Supreme Being. With this… you could transcend."
Vaikraas growled, uncertain.
> "You would give me the key to slay your god?"
Reyansh nodded.
> "In exchange, grant me your fire. Make me more than mortal. Make me your vessel."
A long silence.
Then…
> "Very well, little ember."
The dragon opened its maw, and fire blacker than shadow surged forward—divine flame, not to destroy, but to transform.
Reyansh screamed.
His body shattered.
And was reborn.
---
[Ashraya – The Flame Signal]
In the sky, a black flame tore through the clouds—visible to every god and mortal.
Akarshan stepped outside the fortress, eyes wide.
> "He… fused with it."
Shiv whispered, "Reyansh is no longer human."
Ash appeared beside them without a word, his robes darker than night, eyes glowing with unreadable fury.
> "Then I will show him what it means to defy fire with creation itself."
---
[Meanwhile – Adityan Watches]
From his shattered throne, Adityan watched the black fire rise.
He smirked.
> "Perfect. Now let the god and the monster destroy each other."
> "And when they fall… I shall reign."
---