[Core of the Flame Caverns – The Awakening Begins]
Ash stood still, floating above the burning throne.
Galaxies swirled behind him. His aura had become transparent light, something that shimmered beyond time. Even the ancient fire of Vaikraas bowed before it.
Reyansh staggered, gritting his teeth.
> "You were our friend," he said. "You laughed with us. You bled for us."
Ash looked down at him—not with anger, but sorrow.
> "That version of me… was real. But it was only a shard."
> "Now… I remember all my forms. All my lifetimes. All my mistakes."
> "Especially the one where I left you all behind."
---
[Reyansh's Mind – The Pact Chamber]
Within himself, Reyansh found the spirit of Vaikraas—coiled around a black sun. The ancient dragon whispered with molten fury.
> "He will erase you. All of you. Again."
> "But I gave you power. Together, we can rule this world."
Reyansh stood between two visions:
One of fire and dominion.
One of Ash smiling beneath the old sky, as a friend.
His fists shook.
> "I wanted power… because I was afraid."
> "But fear isn't the reason I became your vessel."
He raised his hand and tore the pact seal from his chest.
Vaikraas roared.
But it was too late.
The flames shattered—and Reyansh fell, exhausted, free.
---
[Flame Caverns – Present]
Ash caught him mid-fall, gently lowering him to the ground.
Reyansh looked up.
> "You're still my friend… right?"
Ash smiled—not the god's smile, but Ash's.
> "Always."
Above them, the Flame Caverns began to quake.
Ash's awakening had stirred something older than gods.
---
[Meanwhile – Truth Chamber]
The goddesses gasped. Shiv pointed at the sky. Monish grabbed his blade.
> "What is that?!"
A rift tore through the ceiling of the world.
From it came a pulse—not of magic, but origin.
Akarshan whispered:
> "He's not just waking up…"
> "He's waking up everything."
---