The violent, deafening rush of wind slammed back into Roxy's ears, hitting her with the concussive force of a physical blow.
The suffocating, pitch-black void of the Architect shattered in an instant, spitting her directly back onto the damp, fragrant spring grass of the Fox Kingdom's ruins. Time, which had been completely paralyzed by the Demon King, violently resumed its natural flow. The frozen bird in the sky completed its flap, the spring breeze rustled the dead pines, and the Vanguard Alphas violently snapped back to life.
"Roxy!"
Kaelen's raw, bloodcurdling scream tore through the valley. The King of the North lunged forward, dropping to his knees so hard the impact bruised the earth. His large, trembling hands grabbed her shoulders, frantically pulling her up from the damp grass and hauling her flush against his broad chest.
