[Graveyard Integrity: 43%]
Threadwar Delay: 71:59:12
System Notice:
Stability requires immediate action
Sovereign Decision Point – Irreversible
Choice: Sacrifice one Faction to restore system OR risk Sovereign Core collapse.
I stared at the command line.
And it stared back.
Three factions appeared on-screen—rendered in raw soul data and emotional indexes:
The Shardborn – loyal, fractured remnants of those who followed my flame
The Hollow Fold – recently stabilized after Krell's fall
The Cult of Choice (Reborn) – splintered, but anchored by survivors clinging to free will
Zai's voice cut through the tension.
"If you don't choose… the system will. And it'll pick the one with the most souls."
That was the Cult.
The most fragile.
The most real.
Trinity stood at my side, arms crossed, hiding a tremble.
"You shouldn't have to make this call."
"I know," I whispered.
But the system didn't care what I deserved.
It cared what I could bear.
Orion placed a data core on the table.
"It's not just numbers. These are people. Stories. Echoes."
He tapped it. "Pick wrong, and you're not just Sovereign. You're executioner."
I took a breath.
And for the first time since I wore the Crown—
I hesitated.
"What if I'm not the one who should decide?" I asked.
Zai's voice softened. "Then everyone dies."
I thought of the Shardborn.
The ones who fought without question.
The Fold, trying to rebuild.
The Cult… asking if they still deserved to live.
Then I saw Kai.
The boy who once held my flame.
And chose to give it back.
[SOVEREIGN DECISION OVERRIDE ACTIVATED]
Sacrifice Refused.
Alternative Offered: Sovereign Fragment Severance (Temporary)
Effect: Reduce Graveyard instability by 30%
Cost: Flame integrity reduced to 12%.
Side Effect: Crown sync delayed. Reaper immunity lost.
I made my choice.
I cut a part of myself away.
It burned.
Not like fire.
Like loss.
My Sovereign mark cracked.
The Crown dimmed.
But the factions lived.
And that—
That was worth bleeding for.
Trinity caught me before I hit the floor.
"You did it," she said, choking on her words.
"No," I whispered, eyes heavy. "I just bought us time."
Somewhere beyond the zones, the Null-King paused.
He felt it.
The Sovereign's flame was flickering.
And next time—
There wouldn't be enough left to stop him.