Seraphina landed beside Ethan, her draconic pressure still spilling across the forest clearing. Branches and leaves flattened against the ground. The old man bent beneath the weight of it, no longer able to urge Ethan to save anyone.
He fell silent.
But Ethan noticed the sun symbol that had appeared in the old man's lowered palm.
Golden lines spread across his skin, their edges still glowing faintly. The old man quickly closed his fingers to hide the mark, but Ethan had already seen it.
Watching him, Ethan slowly dispersed the energy gathered between his hands. As the white light faded, a card slipped from his fingers and landed by the old man's feet.
"Huh?"
Ethan bent down and picked it up, putting on a surprised expression.
"Sir, do you know what this is? It looks like it just fell out of my hand. Have you seen one before?"
The old man stared at the card, his lips pressed into a thin line.
