The pain arrived all at once. Atheline's body locked in place as though every muscle had suddenly forgotten how to move.
His vision blurred, then whitened. A torrent of ancient Aether exploded through every meridian in his body with overwhelming violence.
He crashed onto one knee, one hand slamming against the cold stone floor to stop himself from collapsing completely. The impact echoed throughout the silent chamber.
A strangled groan escaped his lips.
This was unlike any breakthrough he had ever experienced. It wasn't simply painful; it felt as though something buried deep within him was being forced awake.
"Atheline!"
Lilith appeared beside him instantly. Dark Aether surged from her body, forming countless protective barriers around the two of them.
Her first thought was that they had triggered another trap. Her perception spread throughout the chamber but found n
