The battlefield trembled as power clashed.
Silver light burst from Ethan's body, meeting the Emperor's dark-golden aura head-on. The air screamed as their energies collided, tearing the ground apart. Soldiers on both sides were forced to retreat.
"You feel it, don't you?" the Emperor said calmly amid the chaos. "This power was never meant to be controlled. It was meant to rule."
Ethan gritted his teeth. Every strike pushed him closer to the limit. The Fate Mark burned hotter than ever, begging to be unleashed completely.
Then the Emperor smiled.
With a snap of his fingers, chains of golden light wrapped around Lyria, pulling her forward.
"Stop!" Ethan shouted.
"Choose," the Emperor said softly. "Accept your destiny. Become what you were meant to be. I will spare her—and give you power beyond imagination."
Time seemed to freeze.
Ethan looked at Lyria. Fear was in her eyes—but so was trust.
Memories flashed through his mind: the Silver Forest, the academy, the promise under the stars.
Slowly, Ethan loosened his grip on the Fate Mark.
"No," he said quietly.
The Emperor's smile faded.
"I won't trade my heart for power," Ethan continued. "If destiny demands that choice… then destiny is wrong."
Ethan stepped forward—not drawing more power, but letting go of it. The Fate Mark cracked, its light unstable.
"What are you doing?" the Emperor shouted.
"I'm choosing," Ethan said.
The chains around Lyria shattered.
The backlash sent Ethan crashing to the ground. His power faded rapidly, leaving only pain and exhaustion.
But the Emperor stumbled too—his control broken.
For the first time, fear crossed his face.
The battle wasn't over.
But fate had lost its grip.