Matthias lowered his hand.
He didn't attack.
He was looking at Grim.
At the other end of the field, a hundred meters away, the skeleton still lay where it had fallen. Against the base of the canyon. Not moving.
One HP.
"Your companion is finished," said Matthias. "Do you feel it?"
Alex felt it.
Through the Fragment. The faint connection, nearly severed. Like a thread about to break.
Still there. But barely.
"Yes," said Alex.
"Then this ends here."
Matthias raised his hand again.
[CORRUPTED SMITE — TARGETED AT GRIM]
The green energy concentrated. Not toward Alex. Toward the incapacitated skeleton on the ground.
A final blow to cut the thread.
Alex moved.
No MP. No skills. Ninety-five HP.
He ran.
He wouldn't make it in time.
The distance was too great. Matthias too fast in Power Spike. The Smite already charged, already aimed—
Then the ground between Matthias and Grim darkened.
Not like a shadow.
Like an absence.
As if light decided not to exist there.
