The aftermath of the shattered barrier had yet to completely settle, the fragmented starlight drifting like fireflies. The atmosphere on the battlefield, however, was more solidified than before, as if the calm before a storm.
The three Wizards of the Tower of Order wore expressions so somber they seemed like they might drip with water. For the first time, the starlit eyes of Cyrus lost their absolute sense of control, replaced by astonishment and deep dread.
Shadow writhed uneasily around Darian, and Veronica instinctively drew her three alchemical constructs closer, their cold alchemical eyes locking tightly onto the newly appeared trio of Abbas.
"Abbas…" Cyrus's voice was like two cold stones grinding, carrying suppressed fury, "What does Fran mean by this? Do you intend to openly intervene in the internal affairs of the Tower of Order, shielding a wanted criminal of our tower?"
