Avery stood at the edge of Blackthorn's damaged courtyard, her breath misting in the cool air. The rumble in the distance became louder, and shadows spread across the horizon. The Architect's presence was like an open wound on the earth, with hatred seeping throughout reality.
Lucas moved closer, his hand brushing against hers. "You're sure you're ready for this?" he asked, his voice calm but steady.
She did not respond straight away, her gaze fixated on the shifting darkness ahead. Something about it felt extraordinary—it was more functional. Her chest squeezed from the weight of silent facts she should have sensed but could only shout out.
"I don't think we have a preference," Avery responded sooner or later, her tone harsh. "It's him or the whole thing else."
Elena came from the library ruins, her face somber. "There's some thing you both need to see," she went on:
Avery grew, recognizing the desperation in Elena's words. "what's it?"
