Marduk had chosen power. So he became the Vault’s new heart, endlessly generating gifts he could never use.
He turned his back on the three frozen figures, walked to the far wall, and placed his bare hand against the stone. The wall opened onto a sunlit hillside he had never seen before. The air smelled of grass and rain. Marduk had chosen power
Behind him, in the singing dark, his former nakama began to scream—each in their own private eternity. The wall opened onto a sunlit hillside he
Marduk raised a hand, and the air grew heavy with gathering power. “The Gift chooses a vessel, Kaelen. Not a hero. Surrender it, and I promise your death will be remembered in the new world we build.” Marduk raised a hand, and the air grew
“Quick?” Lyra laughed, stepping forward. Her shield bore new scratches—from him. “After he made us chase him through half the dungeon? No. He gets the slow gift.”