C93 THE CLAIM OF THE VOID MONARCH

Darkness swallowed Elara entirely.

Not the ordinary darkness of night…

This was deeper.

Older.

A living entity.

It wrapped around her like cold silk, weightless yet suffocating. She attempted to move—her arms, her legs, even her breath—but everything felt suspended in a world where time forgot to exist.

Then a whisper touched her ear.

Not close.

Not far.

Everywhere