"You've been seeking answers," she stated, her voice smooth and measured.
Jude nodded, standing to face her fully. "And finding more questions," he replied. "The fragment, the Root... What is my part in all this?"
Aerin regarded him for a moment before speaking. "Your connection to the fragment was no accident. The seals were designed to resonate with certain individuals, those attuned to the frequencies of the ancient energies. You are one such individual."
He frowned, the weight of her words settling heavily upon him. "So, I'm a pawn in some cosmic game?"
"Not a pawn," she corrected. "A guardian. Whether you accept it or not, you have a role to play in preventing the Root's resurgence."
Jude ran a hand through his damp hair, frustration evident. "And if I refuse?"
Aerin's gaze hardened. "Then the world as you know it will cease to exist. The Root's return would unravel the very fabric of reality."
