The number stayed stable, but Liam felt the weight of potential collapse pressing against his synthesis. This was the moment where Lord Azra could shatter—where the performance became too much to maintain, where the actor admitted defeat and the role dissolved.
"No," Liam said quietly.
"I'm sorry?" The High Priest looked genuinely confused.
"No," Liam repeated, louder now. "I don't accept this."
"The prophecy is not something you can simply refuse to accept—"
"Watch me." Liam's voice carried Primordial Authority now, making the air itself vibrate. "I know the heroes are training. Learning their powers. Becoming the champions prophecy demands. That means they're not ready yet. That means they're vulnerable."
"They're protected by—"
"I don't care what they're protected by," Liam interrupted. "I'm guessing they won't be ready for three months. Maybe four. That's enough time to find them. Hunt them. Kill them before they become unkillable."
