My heartbeat thundered in my chest as an icy dread settled over me, my face draining of color. The oppressive presence that filled the cavern was unlike anything I had ever felt before—a weight pressing against not just my body, but my very soul.
My thoughts spun, racing to piece together the impossible.
How?
How had he awakened already? This wasn't supposed to happen—not yet.
'This can't be happening,' I thought, my mind rebelling against the sight. He shouldn't even be awake yet! His recovery should have been far from complete. This was a scenario I hadn't prepared for.
And yet, here he stood.
As if summoned by my silent plea for answers, my thoughts swirled. How had they managed to accelerate his recovery?
Obviously, it must have been Alyssara who was a variable differing from the Saga of the Divine Swordsman. But that didn't matter.
We were beyond outmatched.
