A moment later, Orion vanished from the throne, leaving only the faint displacement of air in his wake.
When he reappeared, he held a sphere of shimmering, void-dark liquid in his palm. It defied gravity, swirling within itself like a contained storm.
This was the [Bloodline Awakening Pool], a tribal relic sacred to the Giants. For generations, it had been the catalyst for their power. But for the Stoneheart Horde—a chaotic amalgamation of succubi, obsidian golems, gnolls, and other heterogeneous species—it was becoming obsolete. It was a tool for a single race, useless to the diverse empire Orion was building.
It was time for an upgrade.
"Hold on tight," Orion rumbled.
He tapped his shoulder. Elara didn't hesitate; with practiced agility, she hopped up and braced herself against his collarbone, waiting for the ride.
