Elric stood frozen at the edge of the room, his face turning pale as the last soldier hit the floor. His once-confident posture shrank as realization dawned on him.
He took a hesitant step toward the noble and stammered.
"M-my Lord Silas, I—I didn't know they would react like this. I swear, I just thought they'd be useful. I didn't plan any of this!"
Silas ignored him.
His face had gone from red with rage to unnervingly calm, the kind of calm that came before something snapped.
"Useless. All of you, useless." Then, louder: "You think you can mock me in my own house? Humiliate me in front of my men?"
He muttered.
He stretched out his hand.
The air around them thickened instantly, and the stench of aether grew heavier, choking.
A vortex of dark power swirled from Silas's palm, his eyes glowing faintly with a sickly green light.
"You'll regret turning me down."
Aether surged forward, coiling like a serpent ready to strike. Anna stepped back, arms raised in defense.
