Time stopped
Literally stopped.
The wind froze mid-gust. Leaves hung unmoving in the air. Even the sound of her own heartbeat muted.
Raya stood face-to-face with the one thing every creature feared.
The Sovereign.
She couldn't see his face—only darkness where a face should be, framed by long threads of shadow. His presence wasn't cold…
It was worse.
It was empty. Like the universe folded around him, refusing to touch his existence.
Eren stood frozen, eyes wide, unable to move.
Only she could.
Only she was allowed.
The Sovereign's fingers brushed the mark on her wrist.
Raya gasped as a pulse shot through her chest—warm, electric, terrifying. Her knees buckled.
"Do not fear," he murmured.
His voice vibrated through her bones.
"You were made to feel this."
He lifted her chin with a single finger.
Her breath hitched.
"No," she whispered.
"I don't belong to you."
A low hum rumbled in the air.
Almost like a chuckle.
"You misunderstand, little star." His voice deepened.
"You are not mine because I claimed you."
Raya trembled. "Then why?"
"You are mine," he whispered, "because you were born from me."
The world went silent.
Raya's blood turned to fire.
"What—what did you say?"
The Sovereign leaned closer.
"One day," he murmured, "your memories will return. And you will come home."
Her eyes widened, heart hammering.
Home?
Where?
He brushed a thumb over her cheek. The sensation was unbearable—cold, warm, terrifying, familiar.
"Until then," he whispered,
"do not let the Revenants touch what belongs to me."
His presence tightened, wrapping around her like mist.
"And do not let him—"
a sharp glance toward frozen Eren
"—forget his place."
Raya's breath shook violently. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing he does not deserve."
She swallowed.
"Let him go."
For the first time, the shadows around him stirred.
"You command me, child?"
"I said—let him go."
Light flickered.
Then—
Time snapped back like a whip.
Wind roared. Leaves fell. Eren stumbled forward with a gasp, collapsing to one knee.
The Sovereign stepped back, shadows wrapping around him like a cloak.
His voice echoed—soft, final, inevitable.
"I will return for you."
And the
n he vanished.
Leaving Raya shaking, Eren staring at her in horror…
And the world forever changed.