Arthur sat up fast and quickly stood up, backing away defensively from the clearly agitated Aziel. His bare feet scraped against the cold stone floor as he created distance between them, his body tense and ready to move despite his weakened state. The morning light cast long shadows across the temple interior, highlighting the growing tension between them.
"What the hell is your problem anyway? Why do you even care? You don't know me... we're not friends. We never talked at the academy, so why?" Arthur's voice cracked with emotion, genuine confusion mixing with his defensiveness. His hands trembled slightly at his sides, not from fear but from the effort of standing after days of physical and emotional exhaustion.
