CHAPTER 31
Pulling my consciousness sharply back into my body, I work on the most powerful barrier I can manage to protect the First’s still healing mind from the Origin Stone. Then my eyes catch sight of Ru. I scream.
He’s on the ground, completely covered in blood as it pools around his body. Bethamous is standing above him, holding a thin, needle-like knife and wearing a smug look of satisfaction. He smirks, wiping the blood off the blade with an over-white handkerchief.
Then, without any warning, he’s thrown back against the great ruins where the Stone is buried, hitting it with such force that the limestone blocks forming the wall c***k and fall apart. Huge chunks tumble down, kicking up a cloud of dust and sand. I hear what sounds like several hundred people all rushing back, and
