Location: Demon Realm - Royal Palace, Obsidian City
Date/Time: 4 Ashwhisper, 9938 AZI
Realm: Upper Realm
The communication crystal dimmed, and Ren stood alone in his private chambers, Voresh's words still echoing through his mind.
I have found my truemate.
After ten thousand years of nothing. After watching his people slowly fade, one leaf at a time. After presiding over countless Kael'thros ceremonies, honoring demons who chose death over devil transformation.
Hope.
For the first time in millennia, actual hope.
Ren closed his eyes and reached for the common path—the mental thread that connected him to every demon in existence. Eight million, seven hundred and forty-three thousand souls. Each one a gossamer strand anchored to his consciousness, a weight he'd carried alone since the last demon king fell.
The pressure was constant. Crushing. Like holding an ocean in cupped hands while the water slowly leaked through his fingers.
