I glance first at the observatory windows, then at the open skylight above the colossal telescope, which crosses the ceiling like a spear aimed at the inverted ocean of Thirstfall's sky.
For an instant, my brain genuinely calculates it.
'Maybe, if I throw myself out of there, my odds are better than standing between two monsters about to kill each other.'
The idea is ridiculous.
But not more ridiculous than staying still in the center of this room while two Rank Abyssal turn the entire environment into a bomb ready to detonate.
I try once again to communicate with Freya through eyes alone. Anything. A gesture. A signal. But before I can insist, Rae's voice cuts across the observatory like a mocking blade.
"So, Rector Dean… how is this going to go? Want to test your luck?"
'Shut up, you bastard.'
He's making everything worse on purpose.
Dean slowly extends his arms away from his body.
The air shifts.
