Ray watched as Orius's frozen form crumbled into dust, the remnants scattering in the frigid wind. For a moment, he stood there, the only sound being the faint crackle of frost dissipating.
He exhaled softly, his breath visible in the cold night air, a fleeting wisp of white that soon faded.
Turning his head, his crimson gaze shifted to the dense treetops. "So," he began, his voice carrying a calm but pointed edge, "how long do you plan to stay hidden?".
His piercing eyes locked onto a particular spot where the faint outline of a blackish-brown owl perched, its amber eyes unblinking as it stared back at him.
In the hotel room far away, the air grew tense. The group watching through the familiar's feed froze, their composure shaken as the masked man addressed them directly.
