Eucraick and Malachi stood in the clearing, the tension between them palpable. Malachi's sudden appearance and the revelation that he was alive were enough to shake Eucraick to his core.
"What are you doing here, Malachi?" Eucraick asked, his voice steady but filled with underlying caution.
Malachi sighed, a weary expression crossing his face. "You don't need to worry, Grim Reaper. I have no intention of causing trouble. Zen is no longer of this world, and my allegiance died with him. I am just a wandering man now, looking for my son."
"Your son?" Eucraick's eyes narrowed. "There is no one else here. You're wasting your time."
Malachi looked unconvinced, his eyes boring into Eucraick's. "I don't believe you. The only survivor of this place would be my son—the one with the deadly eyes."
Eucraick felt a jolt of shock at Malachi's words but forced himself to remain calm. He couldn't let Malachi see that he was rattled.
