Above Chentang Pass, the sky tore open.
Vexar flung Auranthra's severed talon forward.
The talon spun once, then carved a vast circular rift through space, encircling the entire city.
A second tear split open beneath the clouds, connecting directly to the abyssal prison below.
Rivers of magma poured out, crashing into the sea.
At the mouth of the rift stood countless chained abyssal beasts, each gripping crude weapons, eyes burning with hatred.
Behind them loomed three colossal dragon forms.
The imprisoned Sea Sovereigns.
The atmosphere in Chentang Pass turned ice-cold.
A messenger's scream echoed through the courtyard, though no report was necessary.
Everyone could see it.
Solarian's expression darkened.
"Vexar…"
Glacien shot to his feet.
"I'll ask him what he's doing."
Pyros kicked off his flame-wheels and followed.
The lord of the city and his wife launched into the air as well, driven by instinct and fear for their son.
Rowan and Solarian exchanged a glance before rising after them.
High above the city, Glacien confronted his master.
"Why are you surrounding Chentang Pass?"
Vexar lifted a hand.
"Wait."
Before he could speak further, a massive spectral dragon soul surged out of the rift and condensed into humanoid form.
The Dragon King of the Deep Tide Dominion.
His presence crushed the air.
"I do not fully trust this arrangement," the Dragon King said calmly.
"To prevent leaks, Chentang Pass will remain sealed for several days."
"Once my son completes his ascension trials and becomes an acknowledged celestial, the seal will be lifted."
Glacien's face tightened.
"Father—"
"This is not negotiable."
The Dragon King's gaze softened slightly.
"I will not harm the mortals."
"This is containment, not slaughter."
The city lord stepped forward, voice steady but tense.
"This approach invites greater disaster."
"We should report everything to the High Architect and accept judgment."
"If punishment falls, let it fall on us, not on the children."
The Dragon King's eyes narrowed.
"A mortal lecturing me about cosmic consequence?"
Without warning, a titanic claw descended.
The Sea Sovereign of the Southern Abyss seized the city lord in one massive grip.
Pyros roared.
Glacien lunged.
Before either could act, space rippled.
The city lord vanished from the dragon's grasp and reappeared beside Rowan.
Rowan lowered his hand.
"Let's slow this down."
He met the Dragon King's gaze evenly.
"Threats won't solve the underlying problem."
The Dragon King studied Rowan.
"Speak, Blackwyrm."
Rowan nodded.
"Total lies fail."
"Total truth is equally dangerous."
"If Glacien is sent for ascension trials, his dragon heritage cannot be hidden. It will surface eventually."
"If he's perceived as a planted infiltrator, suspicion deepens."
Solarian grimaced.
Rowan continued.
"At the same time, revealing everything right now—while the High Architect is absent—hands too much power to hostile intermediaries."
Vexar's expression shifted.
Rowan spread his hands.
"So we choose a third path."
"Most of the truth is acknowledged."
"Sensitive details remain deliberately ambiguous."
"Glacien ascends first."
"After he earns merit in the coming war and proves loyalty, the full truth can be presented directly to the High Architect."
Silence followed.
Solarian slowly nodded.
"That… is workable."
Vexar considered carefully.
"It reduces immediate risk."
The Dragon King exhaled.
"You're suggesting controlled disclosure."
Rowan nodded.
"Nine parts truth."
"One part shadow."
The Dragon King studied Rowan for several long seconds.
Finally, he waved a hand.
"The city will not be sealed."
The rifts trembled but did not close yet.
"Present your framework."
Rowan met Vexar's eyes.
"Now we define what gets said."