Observing the ease with which Elias could control his extremities and the obvious changes in his body, Valerius cleared his throat.
"Welcome back, boy," he said. His voice cracked on the last word. "You look like you've been through a war."
Elias glanced at him, a flicker of the old, quiet boy still there in the eyes.
"I have."
Yseult's gaze dropped to the purple-gold rose tucked against his hip, and her eyes tightened. She did not comment on it, not yet. Elias had surprised her by his achievements when she wanted him to just be able to trigger his unique Incursion.
With everything he was expected to sacrifice, it seemed like it was asking for too much for him to bear the burden of more power.
In this fleeting moment of distraction, Commander Yseult did not properly respond when a Divine Tool pierced through the barrier she had placed over the high spire, and the doors at the far end of the chamber opened.
