Kael didn't move immediately after saying that. The information was already obtained, the main objective defined, and all that remained now was organization. There was no longer any urgency in the chaotic sense, only sequence. He kept his gaze fixed for a moment on the woman inside the cube, as if assessing whether there was still anything useful to extract from that state. There wasn't. At least not without methods that would require time he didn't intend to spend there.
He then looked away.
To Vlad.
The second cube remained intact, smaller, denser, containing not only his body but his very capacity to react. Vlad was still conscious, but limited to the point of not even being able to fully comprehend what was happening around him. The energy that had previously enveloped him now existed in isolated fragments, unable to align, unable to grow. He breathed, but that was practically all he still did on his own.
Kael raised his hand again.
