The forest around the clearing remained unnaturally silent after the alchemical energy was stripped away,
The Dark Elf woman lay collapsed on the ground, knees pressed into the soil as her body trembled from the violent removal of power. Where volatile mana had once surged beneath her skin, there was now only emptiness, a hollow ache that left her gasping for breath.
Tears streaked down her cheeks, cutting clean lines through the dirt and soot smeared across her face, fury still burning in her violet eyes even as her strength failed her.
Jax straightened slowly, gaze never leaving her. The thread of control he held over her remained absolute, invisible restraints locking her muscles in place just enough to prevent escape without crushing her outright.
He didn't need to rush as any potential danger had already passed.
"You gambled everything on a suicidal explosion," he said calmly, "That tells me you were desperate, not prepared."
