In front of Caius's eyes, the essence forming the threads that bound Arthania burned and disintegrated.
And through her beautiful face, two lines of tears flowed.
She raised her hand and placed it over the right side of her face to cover one eye. "How... how did things come to this?" Her tone was full of doubt.
'This should never have happened...'
She lowered her hand, wiping away the tears before looking at the sky, then at Caius standing silently before her.
Standing there, staring at the empty space above her head as if he could see something incredible.
And behind him, she could see the first Awakened who had begun arriving after hearing the noise from the fight a moment earlier... or at least pretending to.
She returned her gaze to Caius, who looked at her calmly now.
"So, did you see it... did you realize it now?" His words were calm... not in the way someone of his age should have sounded.
Arthania closed her eyes as she answered, "Yes."
