Vell felt it before he saw it - the breaking of bonds that connected him to his family. Each snap felt like a knife through his heart. He ran faster, ignoring the pain that shot through his exhausted body.
When he reached the safe house, he found the door broken open. Inside, he froze at the sight before him.
A man in a black coat stood in the middle of the room, his presence overwhelming even to Vell's weakened senses. Around him lay Vell's family, motionless.
"No..." His voice cracked as he saw Wren's human form sprawled near the window, her usually playful face now still. The twin slimes, Sia and Mia, had been reduced to small puddles, their attempts at human forms dissolving away.
"You're late," the man said simply. He held Yenna by the throat, while Kana lay unconscious at his feet. "I watched your fight with Lucia and Suzy. Impressive, but they were just pawns."
