Then the five demons dissolved into ash and shadow, vanishing into the collapsing ruins.
Kael and Elysia stood amidst the rubble, breathing heavily, the red glow of Kael's shard fading to a faint pulse.
Elysia looked at him silently, sword still in her hand, the urge to kill him warring with the memory of him saving her life moments ago.
Kael met her gaze. "We'll talk later. Right now, we need to get out before this whole place buries us."
The ground trembled again, dust falling from the ceiling as ancient stones cracked apart.
Together — unwilling allies, bound by circumstance — they ran toward the collapsing stairway, the echoes of the demons' laughter fading into the depths behind them.
The Abyssal Gate had been opened — and the sins were awake once more.
The ruins shuddered as a crimson glow pulsed from the Abyssal Gate.
Kael staggered backward, shielding his face from the blast.
His red crystal shard, now burning against his chest, pulsed like a living heart.
