Luminous Sanctuary, beneath Saintlight Peak.

Jared stood with Evelyn in a hidden hollow at the base of the mountain, looking up at Saintlight Peak wrapped in its sacred glow.

The mountain wind howled, dragging banks of spirit mist through the hollow, but it couldn’t ease the weight pressing down on either of them.

“Young Lord… are we still going up?”

Evelyn spoke under her breath, unable to hide the strain in her voice.

She reached out and lightly grasped Jared’s arm. The moment her fingertips brushed his sleeve, she felt the change in him.

His expression looked the same as always. His eyes were even sharper than before. But a faint coldness radiated from him, and she sensed it instantly.