Phonx hovered in the golden-stained sky, radiant wings spread wide. The flames along its body licked the clouds, casting celestial heat down onto the battlefield below.
Sefe, held safely in Slimy's soft, glistening protection, clutched her knees to her chest. Her usual fire a volatile, unpredictable storm had dimmed into faint embers curling around her fingertips.
(Why… why did he protect me?)
The chaos stilled. The shadows that once writhed violently around Umbro now curled in closer, cautious, confused. Even Umbro himself tilted his monstrous head to the side, growling low, unsure whether to strike or wait.
Solarius stood at the edge of the rubble, light bleeding from his wounded form, but unwavering.
"It looks like it's your defeat, Crow," he said, his eyes glancing from Umbro to Sefe, then back. "They're not fighting for you anymore."
For a moment, the battlefield held its breath.
Then—
Crow laughed.
Not a chuckle. Not a smirk.
