The world dissolved into a white-hot blur for Viktor. The raw wound of betrayal festered within Viktor. The battle, the screams, even Celeste herself – all faded away replaced by the horrifying truth reflected in her inhuman healing. A guttural sound, half-sob, half-growl, escaped his throat as Gerard's booming voice, laced with panic, sliced through his daze.
"Viktor! Viktor!". Gerard bellowed, his voice strained over the din.
Viktor blinked, forcing himself to focus. "What is it, Gerard? What's wrong?"
Viktor mumbled, his gaze locked on Celeste's retreating figure.
Gerard followed Viktor's line of sight, spotting Celeste amidst the chaos. "Wow," he breathed, "She is... alive."
Viktor flinched at the word, his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.. "No, Gerard," he rasped, his voice laced with a horrifying certainty. "She isn't alive. That... that's not my daughter."
