The hunter could no longer feel his legs.
Sacred markings crawled up his arms as the sealing glyph consumed him from within. He had known the cost before casting it.
This was not a restraint.
It was a substitution.
The glyph transferred instability from Kaito's core into his own body.
"Kaito," he said weakly, gripping his shoulder, "you must stabilize before I'm gone."
"You're not dying," Kaito snapped.
The hunter laughed faintly.
"Every oath has weight."
Below, entire cities evacuated as priests screamed of apocalypse. The Archbishop watched in horror as the forbidden Cathedral seal shattered on its own.
Silver Eyes reached the hunter, placing a glowing hand against his chest.
"You don't have to carry it alone."
He shook his head.
"If he becomes something else… promise me you'll stop him."
She did not answer.
Above them, Vael'Tharion extended something like a hand from within the eclipse.
And the world dimmed further.