In that instant, the world froze.
Not metaphorically, not in awe—but truly, utterly still.
The sky, once alive with thunder and lashing bolts of lightning, fell into unnatural silence. Jagged arcs of energy hovered mid-air, unmoving. The roars and shrieks of destruction ceased, like a harp string suddenly cut.
Gerald stood like a monument, frozen in the posture of fury. Not even his fur fluttered.
Asher lifted his head. The air felt thick, dense with something ancient—something divine. His golden eyes scanned Paradigm, and everywhere he looked, chaos had halted. People screaming with mouths agape, knights mid-sprint with weapons raised, entire buildings caught in the act of collapse—all suspended in a cruel, perfect stillness.
And then, a voice—deep, unhurried, undeniable.
"This is my world."
Zenas.
"I am currently rewinding time for us alone. Were it not so, your body would have been rendered useless the moment I unleashed this domain."
