BAAA!!!
"Fa... Father?!"
The instant Richard's feet touched the platform, his entire body collapsed as if the very concept of strength had abandoned him. His knees slammed to the floor with a dull, lifeless thud. He didn't even flinch.
His hands trembled uncontrollably, eyes wide and vacant, mouth slightly open but no words emerging. His mind could not—would not—process the horror he was seeing.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Zara's scream pierced the air like shattered glass. It was shrill, raw, and full of utter disbelief. Before anyone could catch her, her body slumped over, unconscious—completely overtaken by grief.
"...!!!"
Theo, Billy, Amon—every companion who had fought beside Robin, every soul who had ever trusted him, every comrade who had seen him as invincible—all of them sprinted toward the platform like people possessed.
And then they stopped.
Mid-step.
Mid-breath.
Mid-heartbeat.
