The Devourer sought Kael alone.
They met on a battlefield frozen in time dead standing motionless, suspended by opposing wills.
"You know now," the Devourer said, its voice quieter than before. "About the gods. About the seal."
Kael stared, stunned. "You remember who you were."
A distorted laugh. "I remember everything. That's the curse."
The Devourer had been a guardian once. Chosen. Willing.
It had consumed to hold the seal when the gods fell until hunger replaced purpose.
"I became the monster so the world could endure," it whispered.
Kael felt pity: dangerous and sharp.
"And now?" Kael asked.
"Now I am too broken to stop," the Devourer replied. "Only you can."