The moment he touched the thread, the Vault screamed.
All the whispers converged, wrapping around him. They didn't hurt — they fed. On pain. On memory.
Aiden's nose bled. His hands shook. Visions flooded in:
Lyra bleeding beneath a burning star.
Kael's voice, roaring in defiance.
A boy screaming "I'm not ready!" as the sky cracked.
And then — silence.
The thread in his hand dissolved into light.
His eyes glowed silver.
> "I remember who I am. I remember who she is."
And then his body began to change — threadlight running deeper than ever before, shaping his spine, arms, heart.
> "I'm not Kael's echo anymore," he whispered.
"I'm what comes after Kael."
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