The agonizing silence following the Lich's impossible question hung in the air. Ren's mind was violently reeling, trying to process the name Vincent, when another sound entirely shattered the dread of the throne room.
"He doesn't use that name anymore. Am I not right? Commander Maddox!"
The voice was cheerful, melodic, and sickeningly theatrical, echoing off the high walls.
Ren and Maddox both snapped their heads to the side. The space inside the massive hall was tearing apart. A jagged, swirling gate materialized out of thin air, its edges bleeding with chaotic spatial energy. From the center of the distortion, a figure casually stepped forward, his boots clicking softly against the ancient stone floor.
Ren's icy blue eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. He had no idea who this intruder was, and a quick glance at Maddox's deeply furrowed brow confirmed that the Commander was equally clueless.
