As he delivered his threat with that perfect blend of humiliation and mockery, Jake had expected to feel at least a faint flicker of narcissistic satisfaction.
He felt none.
Instead, his expression hardened as he stared down at the crumbs of the golden seed he had just crushed. They were still glowing.
Anthace's consciousness had withdrawn from them, yes, but Jake could still feel the Titan Tree's insidious vegetal energy trying to worm its way into him. Anything that came from Anthace left a mark on its bearer over time. Of that, he had no real doubt anymore.
What he had likely misunderstood was how.
In Jake's mind, the faint trace of Spirit Lumyst hidden inside those materials had to mean eventual possession. Or at the very least, subtle manipulation. A quiet influence exerted without the victim ever noticing.
Except reality didn't line up with that theory.
So far, Jake had only seen two genuine cases where Anthace had taken control of someone under his influence.
Corvac.
