POV: Maya

The Mother Below's claw hung in the air above me, crackling with enough power to unmake my existence. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to beg, to submit. But I'd spent my entire life being controlled by people stronger than me. I was done.

"You saved me because you wanted something," I said, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. "A vessel. A champion. Someone to lead your war against humanity. But I'm not your puppet."

The power intensified. Pressed ...