Chapter 30: One Who Came Back
When Kaela’s eyes fixed on the void, she no longer saw data.
Zeyna’s breath was caught in her chest. The air tasted off—metallic, heavy, unreal. Her throat burned, her lungs protested. Every muscle in her body was clenched, yet none responded. The battle to stay on her knees was silent.
Darin’s legs trembled. He no longer had the strength to lift his shield. His throat was dry, his thoughts scattered. "If it ends... it ends here."
Arven’s jaw was locked, blood seeping from between clenched teeth. His body held him up, but his mind had already begun to fall. He’d been struck from all sides. A scream surged within him—but it never made it out. "Where are you, Fade?"
And the creatures... they didn’t stop.
They didn’t slow.
They didn’t show mercy.
The last one before Zeyna stepped closer, and she couldn’t lift her head.
Everything... was too much.
She had nothing left.
Her eyes began to close—