The ruined square of Castella was quiet now, covered in a thin layer of dust that slowly settled. The fires had burned themselves out, leaving behind nothing but glowing embers.
Bel stood with his claw extended, tip resting lightly against the fading outline of Regulus's forehead.
"Then, let me save you. Regulus, become one of mine. A dragon under my command."
The words landed like a stone dropped into still water.
Regulus's ghostly face went completely still. The only sound was the soft wind whistling through the broken pieces of the wrecked place around them.
Then his expression changed, first shock, then something stronger. Even though his body was barely solid anymore, he leaned back a little.
"No."
Bel blinked once, genuinely surprised. His hand remained outstretched.
"You want to keep fighting," Bel said. "You said it yourself. 'No matter what. All the way.' This is the only way that promise survives past the next few minutes."
