Chapter 46: Grim Van Ambrose Has Fallen
The door to the small dwelling swung open, and Grim turned to see Cassius, Yongrun, and Dongmei entering. All three had their clothing ripped, minor wounds, and exhaustion from the battle.
"Grandfather," Grim said, rising from his seat. The bandage on his face pulled uncomfortably as he moved.
"Sit," Cassius ordered. "You need rest."
Chen Xing bowed to Yongrun. "Master, I've done what I could for his wound, but the darkness persists."
Yongrun nodded and approached Grim, studying the bandaged cut with narrowed eyes. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to the dressing.
When Grim nodded, Yongrun carefully unwrapped the bandage. The wound beneath had stopped bleeding, but black tendrils still traced beneath the skin around the edges, pulsing with a rhythm that didn't match Grim's heartbeat.
"Malaxis's energy," Yongrun said grimly. "It's trying to take root."
"Can you remove it?" Cassius asked, standing at his grandson's shoulder.
Yongrun shook his head. "Not completely. The wound will heal, but the darkness will leave its mark." He looked directly at Grim. "I'm sorry."
"It's just a scar," Grim said, though he knew it was more than that. He could feel the dark energy moving beneath his skin, it was cold and invasive.
"What happened after I... after Chen Xing brought me here?" Grim asked.