"Ascendant..."
The word echoed across the heavens.
The hooded man's calm expression cracked for the first time.
Nathan frowned.
"What does that mean?"
The stranger took one slow step back.
"It shouldn't exist."
"It was erased."
Blue lightning continued to surge around Nathan's body.
Unlike the old System's energy, it carried no commands.
No status windows.
No restrictions.
It answered only to his will.
Harold stared in disbelief.
"Freedom Energy..."
Nova smiled brightly.
"He did it."
Yelena looked between them.
"What is Freedom Energy?"
Harold never took his eyes off Nathan.
"When the old System disappeared, all power tied to it should have vanished."
"But Nathan..."
"...created his own."
Halo remained dark in Nathan's hand.
Yet a faint pulse came from deep within the crystal.
Almost like a heartbeat.
The hooded stranger finally spoke again.
"I destroyed every possibility."
"I erased every future where an Ascendant could be born."
Nathan smiled faintly.
