Chapter Sixty-nine
Author: Lamina
last update2025-04-21 23:14:59

Ethan sat on the chair inside the chamber, his fingers rubbing his temple in slow circles, trying to chase away the dull headache that had become a regular visitor as the weight of what his father called "destiny" pressed down on him like an invisible force.

Each day that passed, his strength drained a little more.

This morning had been the worst yet. When he had tried to get out of bed, his legs had felt like they were filled with lead rather than bone and muscle. He couldn't even stand up. For hours, he had lain there, staring at the ceiling as sunlight crept across his bedroom wall, waiting for enough strength to return so he could at least walk to the bathroom.

"What's happening to me?" he whispered to the empty room.

The weakness was spreading—starting from his extremities and working its way toward his core, like some invisible parasite feeding on his life force.

The ring on his finger—once warm and alive with power—now felt cold and heavy. The surge of strength that had allowed
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