Time did not stop, but for Kairen Zephyrwind, hovering in the superheated air above the arena, it stretched into an agonizing eternity.
To his left, deep in the blackened pit of the arena, the World-Eater was milliseconds away from unleashing a breath of anti-mana that would vaporize the city blocks behind the stadium.
To his right, in the shadowed mouth of the South Gate tunnel, the Void Hand was bringing a dagger down toward his mother's throat.
Two apocalypses. One sword.
Choose, the logic of the soldier whispered. Save the many. Sacrifice the one.
Choose, the heart of the son screamed. Save her. Let the world burn.
Kairen gripped the hilt of the Essence Blade until the diamond-hard construct groaned. He looked at the Dragon. He looked at the tunnel.
He realized he was asking the wrong question. He wasn't alone. He hadn't been alone since he opened the Fourth Seal.
