Aamir stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as the last flickers of crimson light from his system faded from the air.
The man stood across the clearing, chest rising and falling with an unnatural rhythm as the beasts' essence continued to writhe within him.
His lips curled into a crooked smile, and that same madness Aamir had seen back on the ship now blazed brighter than ever.
"So… this is what you wanted?" Aamir's voice was calm but carried a weight that made Seemu stiffen behind him. "You let them consume you. You call this strength?"
The man chuckled, shaking his head like Aamir had said the most naïve thing in the world. "Strength?" His voice cracked with a dark amusement. "No, boy… this is survival. You still don't get it. Only the powerful survive. Only the strong are worthy to breathe in this cursed universe."
