The battlefield was silent.
Not completely—
But enough that every sound felt wrong.
Empty.
Like something important had just been ripped out of it.
Alexander stood exactly where she had left him.
He hadn't moved.
Not since the moment the ground collapsed beneath her.
Not since the moment the light swallowed her whole.
Not since the moment—
He lost her.
"…Sir."
A voice broke through the silence.
One of the soldiers.
Careful.
Respectful.
Uncertain.
"We should proceed with containment—"
"Leave."
The word came out cold.
Sharp.
Final.
The soldier froze.
"…Sir?"
Alexander didn't turn.
Didn't blink.
Didn't even breathe properly.
"I said leave."
The temperature around him seemed to drop instantly.
No one argued.
Within seconds, the soldiers backed away, retreating without another word.
Even they could feel it.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Daniel exhaled slowly from behind, watching the scene carefully.
