Nox did not give Serene any more time to speak.
The moment those words left his mouth, the frost greatsword dissolved into countless particles of cold light, dispersing into the air like mist. At the same time, he placed his hand on her head.
A symbol began to form beneath her back, glowing faintly against the frozen ground.
She felt it immediately.
It was not pain.
It was far worse.
A crushing pressure descended on her soul, as if invisible chains were wrapping around her very existence. Her vision blurred, and for a brief moment, she felt as if she were falling into an endless abyss. Memories flashed through her mind uncontrollably. Her training. Her missions. Her loyalty to the empire.
All of it began to shake.
"What… what are you doing?" she tried to ask, but her voice came out weak and hoarse.
The symbol beneath her fully formed.
