[Celestial Academy — Administrative Wing Corridor]
Alex opened his eyes.
Not slowly. All at once — the same way he always came back from the threshold, as if his body knew there was no time to recover with dignity.
Emily's Purifying Light was still active. Her hands on his shoulders.
[F1 Corruption: 95%]
[F4 Corruption: 72%]
[Alex HP: 31,400]
The numbers in his vision.
The administrative wing corridor with the remains of what had happened in the last forty minutes — exoskeleton plates, scythe marks in the stone, the dust from the walls that had given way when Aurum and the constructed creature collided.
Seraph at the far end. Marcus holding Grim. Jessica with her notebook. Cael at the arch.
And Emily's eyes five centimeters from his.
"Hi," said Emily.
"Hi," said Alex.
---
He sat up.
