Mareti's presence responded without words.
The crimson mist thickened and wrapped around Damor's soul like a cocoon. It tightened slowly and methodically, leaving no gap.
Damor's soul thrashed, clawed, and tried to tear free.
"NO! I AM PRIDE! I—"
The words dissolved into a distorted scream.
The crimson haze swallowed him whole.
There was no explosion nor any dramatic burst of light.
Just a gradual engulfing.
Damor's soul was consumed piece by piece until nothing remained.
Moments later, his physical body, which had been twisting and trembling violently, finally ceased moving.
Silence fell over the chamber.
The only sound left was the faint hum of the runes on the scepter.
Ethan watched closely.
Damor's eyes, which had been wide with terror, slowly lost their luster. The red glow faded. The pupils darkened. They became dull and lifeless for a brief second.
Then something shifted.
A new darkness settled within them.
