He took a deep breath, grounding himself. He was a direct descendant of Orion, and now, finally, a true Stoneheart Titan.
Unlike his half-brothers, Pallas and Kronos, Kaelen's transformation hadn't regressed his age. His bloodline was stable, his power consolidated.
Slowly, the four-headed, eight-armed Titan form receded, folding back into his flesh until he stood on the ramparts in his standard Giant form.
"Mom."
He landed softly, a confident smirk playing on his lips. His voice wasn't just loud; it carried the weight of absolute certainty.
Sophia stared at him. It felt surreal. The boy who had been hiding in the shadows of the Ridge was gone.
"My son..." she whispered, her eyes shining. "You look magnificent."
She took a breath, needing to hear it said aloud. "Did you do it? Are you truly an Arch Lord?"
Kaelen shook his head.
The light in Sophia's eyes died instantly.
"No," Kaelen admitted. "I haven't broken through to the rank itself. I don't have the Body of Faith yet."
