***
{Outside The Projection}
The crowd stared at the scene unfolding in the projection above in silent amazement.
Malik, walking through the city like he was its Sultan.
A bard's voice ringing out, one filled with venom.
And it wasn't just any song.
It was about him.
It was him.
The "Stranger."
The one they'd all been introduced to as the Second Sun.
The man with a river of blood on his hands and a bounty on his soul.
A man who betrayed to save... to sacrifice.
And now?
The whole kingdom was throwing a damn festival just to wish him a personal seat in Hellfire, Jahannam, his own Goddamned Divine Essence! Dancing, clapping, and praising his death while he was walking right through it.
"…Isn't that just too… ironic?"
Someone finally whispered what they were all thinking.
"Hah. A little? That bard's singing 'Burn, Stranger, burn,' and the "Stranger's" five feet away from her!"
"Whole damn parade is for his death."
"Thirteen years since the wedding, huh?"
