Harold’s Island: Kretia, 1962

The Hall of Records materialized (crystal chandeliers dripping green fire, portraits bleeding). Young Harold stood at the witness stand (medals gleaming, ambition burning). Korrin Vale hung from the chandelier (boots still swinging).

“Confess,” Korrin whispered.

Harold’s chain showed every life he’d ruined (Jaren Holt’s melted face, Mara Vale’s children in funeral clothes). The chain tightened. Harold knelt.

“I was ...