Neo turned his back to the colossal eye of the ancient predator. He looked at his children standing on the marble balcony. Silas was still bleeding heavily from his nose and eyes, his brilliant scholarly mind fragile against the absolute mass of the ancient entity.
Lyra held him up, her silver aura wrapping tightly around her brother. Orion gripped the hilt of his broadsword, but his muscular arms shook uncontrollably. Elara kept her eyes tightly shut, burying her face into her sister.
Neo spoke softly, yet his voice completely overpowered the chaotic cosmic winds. "Lyra, take them inside. The Genesis Palace is permanently anchored to my soul. As long as I draw breath, that sanctuary will remain completely impenetrable. Go now."
Lyra nodded without hesitation. She guided Silas toward the glowing archway, keeping Elara close. Orion hesitated, his warrior pride warring with the crushing reality of his current weakness.
