Fear did not arrive as panic.
It arrived as absence.
Spells that had always worked no longer answered. Knights felt their blessings flicker, not gone—but uncertain, like weapons unsure whether to obey their wielder. The air itself felt heavier, as if the world had begun to think before allowing actions to happen.
Anos Voldigoad walked through the capital as whispers followed him.
People didn't know why they were afraid.
They only knew something fundamental had shifted.
A group of knights stood at the main square, arguing in tense voices.
"My Divine Protection didn't activate," one said, gripping his sword."That's impossible," another snapped. "It's never failed before.""Well, it just did."
Anos stopped nearby.
"So your power depended on automatic approval," he said. "No wonder you never learned restraint."
The knights turned sharply.
"Who are you?" one demanded. "State your name!"
Anos met his eyes.
The knight's breath caught.
Every blessing he possessed screamed at once—conflicted, overwhelmed, unable to classify the being before them.
"I am Anos Voldigoad," he said calmly. "And your protections answer to me now."
The knights staggered back, knees nearly buckling.
"That's—nonsense," one whispered. "Blessings come from the world itself."
"Incorrect," Anos replied. "They come from a system afraid to say no."
He walked past them.
Around the capital, the reaction spread.
Merchants closed their stalls early. Nobles retreated behind stone walls. Even criminals hesitated, instincts warning them that the old safety net—fate, luck, second chances—was gone.
High in the castle, sages stared at instruments that no longer made sense.
"The Dragon Stone's output is dropping!"
"Prophecy readings are returning null!"
"This isn't instability—this is removal!"
Anos stood at the edge of the city walls, looking outward.
"So fear comes when lies are exposed," he said. "Good."
Far away, Reinhard van Astrea gripped his chest again, stronger this time.
"This presence…" he murmured. "It's not hostile—but it's absolute."
Deep beneath the land, an ancient dragon opened one eye.
And in the shadows between moments, the Witch of Envy finally understood something terrifying.
This was not an enemy she could wait out.
This was a ruler.
Anos Voldigoad turned back toward the capital.
"Now," he said softly, "let us see who dares act first."