The Atmas breached the inner palace walls by nightfall.

  Arin stood at the grand courtyard steps as a towering spirit descended—larger than any before it, its form layered with screaming faces.

  It struck without warning.

  Arin raised Kael’s blade.

  The weapon met spirit—

  And cut.

  Black fire bled from the wound.

  The Atma shrieked.

  But instead of retreating, it lunged toward a young palace guard frozen in fear.

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  Arin moved instinctively.

  He drove his blade forward—

  Through spirit.

  Through flesh.

  The guard collapsed.

  The Atma dissolved.

  Silence followed.

  Arin stared at what he had done.

  “I didn’t mean—”

  Kael stepped beside him.

  “You chose.”

  “I killed him.”

  “Yes.”

  No comfort. No denial.

  Just truth.

  Above them, thunder rolled across a sky that was no longer entirely blue.

  The third chain beneath the palace fractured.