The stone shattered.
Dust filled the sanctuary like storm clouds.
Massive chunks of ceiling broke away, crashing down in thunderous waves.
Aurelia ran toward the falling debris, screaming his name.
“KANE!”
Her voice cracked, not human, not void, but a desperate blend of both.
High above, through the tearing ceiling, she saw him.
Bloody.
Bruised.
Barely standing.
Kane had clawed through half the earth to reach her.
“AURELIA!”
His voice echoed down the chasm.
Aurelia sprinted across the cavern floor, dodging collapsing pillars and violent sprays of violet energy.
“Jump!” she screamed. “KANE, JUMP!”
He looked down
at the impossible drop
at the glowing, alive, terrifying sanctuary
at the figure standing behind Aurelia.
His jaw clenched.
He jumped.
Aurelia’s heart stopped.
