Theo stood completely still outside the barrier.
His gaze remained locked on the serpent's corpse, watching smoke slowly rise into the sky.
But no matter how long he looked… Joop didn't come back.
The old man had truly disappeared.
Finally, Theo closed his eyes for a moment.
'I'm sorry,' he thought, clenching his jaw tightly.
If he'd been stronger…
If he'd reached silver core earlier…
If he'd just listened to his bad feeling…!
Maybe Joop wouldn't have needed to push himself that far.
A cold wind brushed past him, carrying the smell of the ocean mixed with blood and smoke.
Behind him, military vehicles had long arrived with much-needed medics.
Voices cried out, whispered prayers, and called for help… yet none of it registered for Theo.
He remained completely still.
Only one other voice broke through to him.
''Fucking hell!'' Owen shouted out behind him. ''Why the fuck did this need to happen?!''
That's when Theo slowly raised his head.
