In hindsight, that was the best place for him to be. Arthur couldn't leave Athena unattended, and she had used that moment, that single, rare lapse in his watchfulness, to slip away.
She knew once he realized what she was about to do, nothing would have stopped him. He would have dropped Athena if it meant holding her back.
Carl wouldn't have been any different, the moment he found out, he would have sided with Arthur instantly.
But this… this was something she needed to face on her own.
Two years of relentless training, two years of pain, sweat, and pushing beyond fear, had led to this moment. And she was ready. She had to be.
In a few more minutes, she reached the far end of the castle where the old car warehouse stood. The air grew colder, thicker somehow, like the building itself exhaled dread.
