Alaric's eyes snapped open golden irises burning with disbelief. The ringing in his ears faded, replaced by the sight before him: his sister, limp in Khael's arms, her body faintly trembling, black fragments of Shinrei dissolving into the air like dying embers.
For a moment, the world around him fell silent. Then
"SIS…!"
His voice cracked with raw panic as he stumbled forward, dragging himself across the shattered ground.
"What did you do, Dragon Knight?! What did you do to her?!"
Khael didn't flinch. He stayed kneeling beside Selene, one arm shielding her, golden Shinrei still flickering like a protective flame.
"Shut up, Alaric."
The words came sharp, trembling with fury.
Alaric froze rage twisting his expression, but Khael's tone cut deeper than any blade.
