The halls of the Celestial Palace were colder than usual, despite their radiant walls.
In the war chambers, the Sovereign Triumvirate stood in uneasy silence. Reports from the fractured realms poured in—entire dimensions devoured by Long Tian's expanding forces. Creatures of void and mirror, twisted copies of fallen heroes, now served him.
Kaelis paced, his golden armor pulsing. "We trusted Wang Chung to hold the balance. But his very presence worsens the corruption."
Maraeth's voice cut like jagged steel. "Then he must be eliminated before it's too late."
Therion, ever the arbiter, raised his staff. "Or guided, if we haven't already failed him."
Meanwhile, Wang Chung sat in silence on the balcony, the stars above flickering. His mind wandered—not to power or fear—but to her. Yu Meilan. The light he no longer felt worthy to touch.
That night, she came to him again, holding the Heart of Purity.
"We have one chance. One ritual. But it will hurt. And it will take something from me you may never be able to return."
His voice was nearly a whisper. "What will it take?"
She smiled, though tears shimmered in her eyes. "Everything I've ever been willing to give."