The One Who Remained
The last of the memories had faded.
The hall fell silent once more, leaving only the echo of ancient light… and the figure that had never left.
No guiding spirit remained.
No voices answered.
Only the soundless weight of the empty thrones and the soft sunlight breaking through the cathedral windows, casting gold across the darkness.
For the first time, Aurelia stood alone before him.
No more distance.
No more illusions.
No more questions she could ignore.
He had watched her from the beginning.
Through the city.
Through the memories.
Through the last dawn of a vanished people.
And now, at last—
he stood waiting for her to understand why he was the only one who remained.