For Sale, One Million to Start

[System Notice: You have terminated your Warden's Mandate bond with TidalBlade.]

[System Notice: Warden's Mandate successfully activated on the Starborn legendary hero Lyra]

Congratulations! You have obtained the Legendary companion [Lyra, the Starbow]!

Two notifications chimed in Kael's ear, clean and bright as struck crystal.

On Alexis Kane's forehead, the golden mark of the contract came apart. It unspooled into threads of light, drifted upward, and faded into nothing.

She felt the tether go.

It was a strange thing, losing a connection she had never asked for. For a moment, something hollow opened beneath her ribs. She should have been elated.

She had broken the bond and walked free of his absolute command, and that was everything she had wanted.

So why did it feel like standing in an empty room?