The ground still crackled where the scissor blade struck Elius's sword—sparks sizzling in the air like embers of a dying star. And yet, Elius hadn't moved an inch.
His blade remained steady.
His arm didn't shake.
But the expression on his face... it wasn't surprise.
It was something deeper.
Something colder.
Ron's velociraptor eyes widened as he stared at the figure that had just reemerged. "He's… he's alive?"
Lina hovered backward, translucent hands trembling. "No, no, no… I felt it. I felt him die. His aura vanished! There was nothing left!"
Shiro's pupils narrowed. "I saw the body collapse. His core shattered. He should be dead."
"But he's not!" Klee shouted, stepping behind Shiro. "Why is he still moving?! How?!"
Ron's clawed feet scratched back across the rocky ground. "Elius—this guy—he's cheating death now?! Was he faking it the whole time?"
