Scene 1: Visions of a Forgotten War
As Otoku touches the cracked seal, the Codex surges. A blinding pulse of flame and void hurls him—and Arthelia—into a vision of the past. They stand amidst a battlefield where skyships rain fire, mages duel across broken spires, and a boy wreathed in celestial fire carves through legions—Otoku's past self.
Arthelia whispers, stunned:
"You led them… and destroyed them."
Otoku, hollowly:
"I... I was a god of ruin."
The vision fades with a scream as a colossal skeletal dragon with flaming eyes turns toward them—then vanishes.
Scene 2: Reality Cracks
Back in the Vault, the Warden lies collapsed. The lantern is broken, flickering erratically.
"The seal is damaged beyond repair," he murmurs.
"He stirs—the First Flame watches again."
Arthelia tightens her grip on Otoku's arm. "We must reach the Heart Chamber. There's still a way to delay the collapse."
Scene 3: The Academy Fractures
Above them, the Academy shudders. Dorms crumble. Professors cast desperate barriers to hold back warped students—now fully Hollowborn. Factions accuse each other: the Aetherians claim sabotage, the Bonewrights call it divine punishment.
Headmistress Kaelis arrives—floating in shattered glass and steel—and confronts Otoku:
"You brought this on us. Prove your worth—or perish as a traitor."
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