Vaelor didn't struggle.
He hung there quietly inside the ice pillar, not even moving his claws. Only a ring of scarlet aura kept leaking out of him, pushing through the frozen layers of water and seeping, little by little, into the surrounding sea.
That crimson seep spread outward, riding the ocean current into the depths.
Down in the undersea palace, Thalvyr lifted his head.
He felt a familiar power being consumed at a frightening rate, and the calm finally slipped off his face.
"How did my son die this fast?" Thalvyr stared upward through the palace ceiling, voice flat with irritation. "In a hurry to reincarnate?"
He slammed his palm onto the throne's armrest. The dull bang rolled through the hall. Thalvyr closed his eyes, pressed two fingers to his temple, and rubbed slowly.
"You really don't know how to give me a moment of peace."
He opened his eyes and issued an order toward the entrance.
"You two, go again. Success is the only option. Failure isn't."
