As Ethan walked through the gauntlet of armored guards and silent, elite bidders, he felt dozens of predatory gazes drilling into his back. No one moved to stop him—not yet. In the world of the Union, territory was everything, and for now, he was still standing in the heart of Celestial's domain. The shadowy figures in the room were already murmuring, their minds undoubtedly spinning webs of future plots and alliances to uncover the source of the young man's power.
Ethan didn't look back. He kept a relaxed pace, his hand casually shoved into his pocket where his fingers brushed the cool surface of the Sanctuary Fragment.
"Let's go," Ethan said, his voice flat.
