Atticus clutched Magnus tightly. His arms were trembling.
"T-there has to be another way."
Magnus gently patted his back.
"There's no other way."
"Kiara…"
Atticus turned his desperate eyes to Kiara for help, but she only bowed, tears streaming down her face.
"I leave her in your care."
Magnus and Kiara stepped in front of him with unwavering resolve.
Crimson will flared around Magnus, golden will around Kiara. They sank into a fighting stance as the champions closed in, killing intent pouring over the battlefield.
As Atticus stared at his grandfather's back, his vision blurred. Something hot trickled down his cheek.
"There has to be another way…"
Was he really about to watch Magnus get killed in front of him?
Was his grandfather really about to… die?
"Another way…"
He muttered it again, voice breaking. He reached for his alternate selves, searching desperately, but there was nothing.
