[The Vault Grounds — Aftermath — Dusk Settling Over the Border]
No one moved.
Zeramet's words lingered in the air like a blade that had already struck but whose pain had not yet been felt.
"HOW DARE YOU INVOLVE ME IN THIS DECEIT?"
The echo of it seemed to press against the bones. The Western Emperor stood frozen, his lips parted slightly, but no words came.
For the first time since this gathering began...he had nothing to say. The wind moved again, low and dry. Dragging dust across the ground between them as if trying to erase the line that had just been drawn.
But it could not; that line had already been carved. Zeramet straightened slowly; the storm in his eyes did not fade.
It settled, colder and more dangerous.
"Speak." The command was quiet and deadly.
The Western Emperor swallowed and said, "…There has been a misunderstanding."
A weak answer, and everyone present knew it. Zeramet tilted his head slightly.
