The sky was no longer cracking.
It was opening.
From horizon to horizon, a seam of white-gold light tore across the upper atmosphere. Clouds evaporated on contact. Air itself crystallized into fractal patterns of luminous geometry.
Ethan erupted from the Deep Cradle in a column of frostfire and gravitational force, Kaelith beside him in a streak of shadowflame.
The System pulsed violently.
[Aerial Rift — Critical State]
[Tempest Sovereign Energy Output: 143% Capacity]
[Seventh Domain Manifestation: 82%]
Above—
The Tempest Sovereign hovered at the center of a colossal spiral of lightning, her wings expanded to full magnitude. But she was not in control.
She was holding something back.
And losing.
The fracture in the sky widened.
Beyond it—
A vast silhouette descended.
Not abyssal.
Not draconic.
Radiant.
Blinding.
An entire architecture of light.
The Celestial Domain was no longer observing.
It was crossing.
Kaelith's voice cut through the wind.
