Julian didn't look dismayed. Instead, a faint, chilling smile touched his lips. "A truly fascinating device," he remarked, his voice laced with genuine, analytical interest.
Heikal, seeing the smile, felt a sliver of unease pierce his triumph. "You can still smile in this situation? You're insane!"
"They will pay for what they've done!" Rei vowed, her voice trembling with fury.
"By all means, try," Celestia retorted, her sarcasm a sharp blade even without her threads.
"Let them talk," Julian said, his tone shifting to one of finality. "Our primary objective here is complete." He glanced toward the timid Dori. "Dori, did you plant them all?"
Dori, hiding slightly behind Celestia, nodded vigorously. "Yes! All of them, just like you asked!"
The boy, Finn, whose senses were still sharp, felt a sudden dread. "They're planning something! Capture them, now!" he yelled.
