The name came from Merrow.
Of course it did.
---
Alyne didn't speak it immediately.
She waited until the room was sealed.
---
"House Virel isn't behind this," she said.
"We know."
---
A pause.
---
"This is something older."
---
Kael's gaze didn't move.
---
"Say it."
---
Alyne hesitated.
That alone made the room colder.
---
Then—
"The Null Sect."
---
Silence.
---
Dren frowned.
"Never heard of it."
---
"Exactly," Alyne said.
---
Elara's smile disappeared.
Completely.
---
"I have," she said.
---
Kael looked at her.
---
"Then explain."
---
Elara's voice dropped.
---
"They don't conquer."
---
A pause.
---
"They erase."
---
Liora didn't react.
But her hand tightened.
---
"Why now?" she asked.
---
Alyne answered.
---
"Because Kael exists."
---
That was the truth.
---
Not territory.
Not roads.
Not power.
---
System.
---
Kael stood slowly.
---
"Good."
---
That surprised all of them.
---
"Good?" Dren said.
---
Kael's voice was calm.
---
"Because now the game changes again."
---
A pause.
---
"They're not here to test."
---
His eyes went cold.
---
"They're here to end it."
---
And Kael—
smiled.
---
"Let them try."