"I'm starting,"
A pulse of energy shot through Lucian's chest—sharp, searing, violent.
His entire body convulsed, but the bindings held him still, keeping him upright as light tore through his veins.
The invisible circuits inside him—the very foundation of his magic—began to unravel.
"AGGGGGHHHH!" Lucian choked.
The pain was unlike anything hefelt before. It wasn't just physical; it was deep, like something intrinsic to his very being was being erased.
He had steeled himself, bracing for the worst after all the warnings. But when it finally hit—when the real deal crashed into him—it was too much.
His back arched involuntarily, but the spell's grip kept him from moving. His fingers curled, nails digging into his palms, but he couldn't even flinch.
All he could do was hold on.
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Lucian's breath hitched as a sharp snap echoed inside his ear.
