Theo's smile slowly faded away.
He subtly turned his head towards Owen.
His best friend remained strapped to the stretcher exactly as before.
'What… do you mean?' he asked through their connection.
For a few seconds, it remained silent.
When Feng spoke again, his voice had become far more serious.
''Where did you find him?'' he asked slowly. ''A thing like that… shouldn't exist.''
Theo's frown only deepened.
'What the fuck are you talking about?'
''I've been observing him for a while,'' Feng continued seriously. ''But his body, soul, and mana… they've all been tainted.''
For a moment, silence fell between them.
Many memories flashed through Theo's mind one after another.
The almost pitch-black Earth element. The dark flames he'd only recently awakened. Even his fingers turning the same color as his mana just a few days ago.
'…Can you explain?' he asked slowly. 'And I'd like everything, regardless of how harsh it is.'
Feng didn't hesitate.
