Kain stared at that wound—the deep, jagged cut radiating orange light, conflicting with azure-green light like a scar that refused to close.
His heartbeat quickened. His spiritual power thrummed beneath his skin, hungry, restless. The same dreadful temptation he'd once felt during the Southern Relic mission returned with a vengeance. The orange energy's taste—metallic, electric, intoxicating—made his instincts flare with dangerous hunger.
Serena noticed the look on his face and faint purple ring around his pupils. "Kain… what are you thinking?"
He didn't take his eyes off the wound. "That I can help it."
Her expression darkened. "Help it? By doing what? Losing control again?" She leaned closer, her voice low. "Don't tell me you plan to absorb that thing. You nearly attacked me last time you—"
"I know," Kain cut in, tone calm but firm. "That was different. I didn't have proper control back then. Now I do."
