61. Sorin: Broken Chains

Held as Ammil’s conduit, Sorin forces her body to respond, seizing on the burn of Elixir to scour his influence. The storm still feeds on the tree’s power, but Sorin senses the stream slowing and drives herself toward the human and the dragon she must reach.

Edin Vayne intercepts Sorin at the scrysilver pool. Moving like old sparring partners, they circle. Edin admits she secretly took the Order’s vows at the academy and serves Him, justifying it as devotion to a god in the making. A tug on Sorin’s tether confirms Ammil is siphoning more of her power into the storm.

Sorin rejects Ammil’s claim to divinity and warns Edin that He only uses people. She regains coordination and presses the psychological attack, pointing out Edin’s lack of true killing training. Their blades clash; Edin nicks Sorin, but Sorin stays mobile as Ammil’s hold loosens.

Edin drives Sorin to the ground and pins her. Knife at Sorin’s throat turns to bare hands as Edin drops the blade, confessing she has never killed and intends Sorin to be her first. As Edin strangles her, Ammil’s thorns continue to drink Sorin’s magic and the tree’s strength, pushing His bid toward godhood.