We see the political structure.
Seven Houses. Seven gifts. Seven ambitions.
Aeris is taken to the House of Ash — the only House willing to claim him.
Not out of kindness.
Out of strategy.
The Ash Matron whispers:
"If you are a weapon, I will sharpen you."
That night, Aeris dreams.
The sky cracks again.
But this time—
Something looks back through it.
A massive eye.
Watching him.
He wakes up screaming.