Gabriel's thoughts raced as he teetered on the edge of consciousness.
Why?, he thought, his mind struggling to comprehend the overwhelming power Lucian now wielded.
Why has Lucian become so strong?
The question gnawed at him, the weight of it pressing down on his already battered spirit. Every fiber of his being screamed for answers, but none came.
Is it me?, Gabriel wondered, a flicker of doubt creeping into his mind. Have I become too weak?
The idea twisted in his gut, a bitter acknowledgment of his vulnerability. The strength he once relied on seemed to slip further from his grasp with each passing second, like sand through his fingers.
But as he hovered at the brink of defeat, Gabriel realized it wasn't just about his own weakening—it was something more, something sinister that had been working against him all along.
