Raya fell to her knees, chest heaving. The silver veins along her arms pulsed like wildfire.
"Eren… I can feel him… inside me…" she whispered.
Eren knelt beside her, grabbing her shoulders, shaking her gently.
"You are stronger than him, Raya. You are the flame, and he… he is only shadow."
Her mark flared violently, and suddenly she saw visions: the Sovereign's throne, the endless darkness, his hands reaching for her—but also flashes of light, power… resistance.
She gasped. "I—I can fight him?"
"Yes," Eren said, voice steady now.
"You can. But you have to step into the fire. Accept the flame inside you."
Raya's hands glowed brighter. She rose, trembling, yet determined. The shadows recoiled, twisting in fear.
The Sovereign's voice cut through the night, calm but deadly:
You dare awaken, little flame?
Raya squared her shoulders.
"I'm not afraid of you!" she shouted.
The night seemed to shiver. Shadows surged forward—but this time, Raya didn't retreat.
She thrust her hands outward. Silver fire erupted like a tempest, consuming the shadows, illuminating the forest in blinding light.
For the first time, she felt it: the Mark was hers. She commanded it. Not him.
Eren's eyes widened.
"You've done it… you've truly taken control!"
And far away, in his obsidian throne hall, the Sovereign's smile faltered.
Interesting… he murmured.
The little flam
e burns brighter than I anticipated…