The silence of the forest grew increasingly suffocating, as if even the wind had decided to stop so as not to disturb what was to come. The tall leaves barely swayed, trapped in an eerie stillness, as invisible tension built around the group.
Vergil halted his march, standing like a statue in the middle of the trail. The ground creaked under the weight of the minimal movement, and the sound, though low, echoed like a drumbeat amidst the morbid silence. His hand didn't go to Yamato, but his cold eyes narrowed, and the air around him seemed to freeze.
He turned his face slightly to Titania, who was still on his shoulder, her feet now motionless, her body rigid.
"How strong?" Vergil asked, his voice sharp, as if he wasn't simply curious, but demanding precision.
Titania took a few seconds to answer. Her eyes vibrated as if reflecting something only she could see, and her breath was shallow.
