Two Minutes Earlier-
"Too heavy," Halburn had said again, eyes distant.
Elysia was breathing heavily, watching Kael's body.
She turned back toward the chaos, toward the sound of fists and bones and dying breath echoing from the stairwell.
Ronin.
She wanted to run in, to do something, but her legs wouldn't move. She was frozen. Trapped between grief and fear.
Then…it happened.
A light.
It started faint, like the first light from the sun in the morning, breaking through the smoke. At first, she thought it was her vision giving out. Maybe blood loss, or exhaustion.
But no. This was real.
It grew brighter. Warmer.
She turned toward it.
And saw Kael.
Her breath caught in her throat.
He stood tall, body bathed in ethereal blue light.
The gem was gone from his chest, leaving behind only a scar.
The glow no longer poured out of him, but through him. His eyes shimmered bright blue, like the eyes of the Officials.
