The night exploded into chaos.
"Fire."
Alexander's father didn't raise his voice.
He didn't need to.
The single command echoed with authority—and in the next second—
Gunfire erupted.
The sound tore through the air like thunder.
Emily's heart slammed violently against her chest.
"Alexander—!"
Before she could react—
He moved.
Fast.
Decisive.
His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her down as bullets ripped through the space where she had been standing seconds ago.
"Stay with me!" he shouted.
The world became noise.
Gunfire.
Shouting.
Explosions of dirt and stone.
The golden space had fully collapsed, replaced by the harsh reality of the battlefield—floodlights cutting through the darkness, soldiers advancing from every direction.
They were surrounded.
Completely.
Emily's breath came in sharp bursts.
"I can't—there's too many—"
"You can," Alexander cut in, gripping her shoulders firmly.
His eyes locked onto hers.
Sharp.
Steady.
Grounding.
"Look at me."
