Raya couldn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the Sovereign's silhouette, felt his breath on her neck, heard his whisper pressed against her ear.
She escaped outside the shrine, sitting beneath the cold moonlight. A breeze brushed her skin, easing her trembling slightly.
Eren joined her quietly.
"Talk to me," he said.
"I feel him," she whispered.
"In my veins. In my chest. Every heartbeat feels like it echoes him. Eren… I'm scared he'll take me when I'm asleep."
"You're safe," Eren said gently.
"As long as I breathe, you're safe."
She looked at him, tears gathering.
"But why does he want me so much? Why ME?"
Eren hesitated.
Then he finally said the truth he'd been avoiding:
"Because your flame can destroy him…
or complete him."
Raya froze.
"Complete?"
"If your flame merges with his shadow…"
Eren swallowed.
"He becomes unstoppable."
Raya felt her entire body go cold.
"I never asked for this," she whispered.
Eren tilted her chin up gently.
"And that's exactly why I'll keep fighting for you. Because you deserve a life that isn't chosen by monsters."
Raya leaned into him, closing her eyes.
But in the depths of her mark, the Sovereign's voice laced around
her softly:
You were never his to protect.