Everything passed like a blur.
Not fast—but numb. Like the world had been wrapped in cotton, like every sound reached him a second too late.
Eli didn't even remember walking out of the dungeon.
One moment he was staring at the glowing exit gate…
the next—
FLASH.
FLASH FLASH FLASH.
Hundreds of camera shutters exploded in their faces.
Thousands of voices crashed over them all at once—
"What happened inside?"
"Is it true there was an SS-Class?"
"Kairo! Captain Kairo, look here—!"
"Caelen, how did your team get in—!"
"Elione Noa Ahn, could you tell us—"
Eli flinched at the noise, but he barely processed any of it.
What he did register, faintly, was the warmth at either side of him.
Kairo on one side.
Caelen on the other.
Both stuck to him like glue, blocking the cameras, blocking the arms reaching out, blocking the crowding reporters.
Their bodies boxed him in completely, protective and unyielding, like they were ready to fight anyone who got too close.
