Cain's body carved a long trench across the ground, the force of the impact tearing apart soil and stone along his path. Yet even as he was thrown backward, his control remained flawless.
With extreme precision, he made a small leap and twisted his body midair, dispersing the remaining momentum. The Scarlet King landed lightly, sliding a short distance before settling into a perfect battle stance.
Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. His brain still throbbed violently inside his skull from the blow, but his eyes remained sharp—cold, focused, and steady—as they locked onto the Royal Blutlinie spy.
The Quietus Force that had flooded Aerion's body was being burned away.
White streams of frozen energy leaked from the man's pores like mist, evaporating under an overwhelming internal power.
The source of that power was his heart.
It beat with a strength beyond anything Cain had ever witnessed.
