Cain preserved the heart inside an orb of white flames before proceeding to consume Aerion's body, devouring every remaining fragment of the spy from the Soul Eternal Realm.
After that scene, silence fell over the hall.
The atmosphere became extremely awkward for the Dark Blood King and the assembled Generals.
They had originally intended to make an example out of Cain, to demonstrate the consequences of disobeying the command structure of the Dark Blood Kingdom. Although losing such a powerful warrior would have been a significant blow, the display would have reinforced discipline and unity among the rest of the army—something of great value with a prolonged war approaching.
But the situation had completely changed.
