TO BE CHOSEN IS TO BE CHANGED
The Pyre Chamber Awaits
The Sacred Temple beneath Fresh Meadows Pack. Torches burn along carved stone walls. The Pyre Chamber looms—a blackened iron gate etched with phoenixes and thorns. A crowd gathers in hushed anticipation. Ceres stands in the center, wrapped in ceremonial red silk.
Beta Vegas (gruff, standing at the archway):
"She doesn't have to go through with this. It's barbaric."
Vito (cold, looming behind him):
"Every heir has passed through the Pyre. You passed it. So did I. Let's see if our daughter's blood burns clean—or
