The color drained from Grace's face as she heard Cyran's words. The sliver of hope she had been clinging to was now on the verge of shattering completely because of his revelation.

She could almost picture her father consuming that elixir of immortality, only to transform into something monstrous. The vision crushed her beneath a wave of despair and helplessness.

Judith quickly kneeled to support her, and her eyes reddened as well.

Dustin watched in silence, offering no words of comfort. He knew some realities had to be faced head-on.

Cyran looked at the distraught Grace and sighed.

"Young lady," he said gently, "it's not that I would deny your devotion to your father, but fate is cruel. To harness the essence of the Void-Tyrant Dragon is like drinking poison to quench your thirst. In the end, it would only hasten its escape from the binding seal.

"When that happens, countless lives will be lost and everything you hope to protect will vanish. This is the weight of great karma, a