The blue light protecting Julian slowly faded, leaving a gripping silence in the Vance Corp lobby. The masked Sentinel had vanished, as if swallowed by the shadows he had created himself. The people around them began to move again, blinking in confusion as if they had just awakened from a long daydream. Julian felt his chest tighten, his lungs struggling to inhale air that suddenly felt heavy.
"We have to go, sir. Now!" Elara pulled Julian’s arm, her voice sharp, cutting through the confusion.
"Wait, those people... what happened to them?" Julian asked, stumbling.
"Just temporary disorientation. Our security will handle the rest. Let's go!"
Julian allowed himself to be led toward the car. Once the Rolls-Royce door closed, he rested his throbbing head. His hand, still wearing the Sovere
