It was long—longer than Nova was tall—sleek and deadly.
Nova's eyes widened.
He sniffed hard, tears still falling in quiet streams down his cheeks.
"Princess… there it is."
Sera meowed softly—small, scared, but curious.
Nova took one step forward.
Then another.
His bare feet were silent on the cold stone floor.
He reached out with trembling fingers.
The rifle's runes flared brighter for just a moment—as if acknowledging him.
Nova's fingertips were inches away—
A heavy blow slammed into his back.
He stumbled sideways, the breath knocked out of him.
Sera yowled in alarm.
Nova looked up.
The cloaked man—the one who'd grabbed him downstairs—stood before the altar, hood thrown back now, revealing a scarred, cruel face and a crueler smile.
He laughed—low and ugly.
"Almost, boy."
Sera hissed—tiny body bristling—and leaped straight at the man's face, claws out.
The man reacted fast.
He kicked—hard.
His boot connected with Sera's small body.
