The hall went completely silent when Alexander suddenly stumbled forward, clutching his chest.
A horrible choking sound escaped him before blood spilled from his mouth, dripping onto the marble floor.
Elizabeth's heart raced. Without thinking, she ran to him, her heels echoing across the hall.
She knelt beside his weakened body, grabbing his shoulders. "Alexander! What's wrong?" she shouted, panic painting her voice.
He tried to speak, but more blood poured out, his body shaking as he collapsed further into her arms. The strong, proud look he once carried was gone, replaced by weakness and pain.
She pressed her trembling hands against his chest, channeling her own energy into him.
"Come on, Alexander! Don't give up!" she yelled, her voice cracking with desperation.
Instead of helping, her energy only made things worse. Her brother's body convulsed before exploding into pieces.
